Sources: Ravens agree to sign Trey Hendrickson to 4-year, $112M deal
The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to sign free agent defensive end Trey Hendrickson, sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter, as part of a costly pivot after their blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby was canceled.
The sides agreed to a four-year, $112 million deal that could reach $120 million with incentives, according to Schefter. The deal includes $60 million fully guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus, sources told Schefter.
The deal keeps Hendrickson, a four-time Pro Bowler with the Cincinnati Bengals, in the AFC North and provides the Ravens with a much-needed star passer less than 24 hours after Baltimore backed out of its trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for Crosby.
League sources told ESPN that the Ravens had medical issues arise during Crosby’s physical. Trades are contingent on players passing a medical exam and are not official until the new league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Crosby underwent surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He knew he would need surgery in the fall, but he continued to play until the Raiders decided to shut him down for the final two games last season, a decision that left Crosby frustrated.
The Ravens had a handful of independent doctors examine Crosby’s knee and the concern was long-term durability, a source told ESPN. The consensus was that Crosby could play this season, but it was unclear how his knee would hold up beyond two seasons, the source added.
The canceled trade once again forced the Ravens to address their pass rush, which was one of their biggest weaknesses last season. Baltimore has 30 sacks in 2025, tied for the second-most in team history.
Baltimore now has Hendrickson, arguably the best player available in this year’s free agent class and an All-Pro selection in 2024, when he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. He finished the 2025 season on injured reserve following a procedure to repair a core muscle injury, finishing with four sacks in seven games.
The Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles were all interested in signing Hendrickson, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The Colts felt like they were close to a Hendrickson deal at one point, and the Eagles got involved late in the process, sources told Fowler. Tampa Bay agreed to a short-term deal, according to sources, but Hendrickson wanted a long-term deal with a competitor.
Sources told Schefter that Hendrickson, 31, would earn an additional $500,000 to reach specific sack thresholds per season, starting at eight sacks and then increasing to 10, 12 and 14.
The addition of Hendrickson ended what was a rocky start to free agency for the Ravens. Over the first two days of the trading period, Baltimore saw nine of its free agents sign elsewhere: center Tyler Linderbaum, tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones, safeties Alohi Gilman and Ar’Darius Washington, fullback Patrick Ricard, punter Jordan Stout and special teams ace Jake Hummel.
The Ravens made another addition to their defense later Wednesday, agreeing to terms with former New England Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins on a two-year, $10 million contract, sources told Fowler.
The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Hawkins had arguably the best season of his six-year career last season, recording 86 tackles and a team-high four interceptions.
Since signing with the Bengals as a free agent in 2021, Hendrickson has been one of the most efficient passers in the NFL. During that span, he ranks second in overall pressure rate (13.2%), according to ESPN Research, and has 61 sacks, the fourth-highest total.
A third-round selection by the New Orleans Saints in 2017, Hendrickson has 81 sacks in nine seasons in the NFL.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley and Ben Baby contributed to this report.
