The Baltimore Ravens made waves on Tuesday by signing defensive end Trey Hendrickson. After departing from the Cincinnati Bengals, Hendrickson inked a four-year, $112 million deal with the Ravens, a significant increase from what the Bengals had previously offered.
Initially, the Ravens were set to trade two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders for Maxx Crosby. However, the deal fell through, and Baltimore shifted its focus, ultimately securing Hendrickson.
The news left many stunned, including Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who took to social media with a playful GIF questioning if it was an April Fool's joke.
Hendrickson, who joined the Bengals in 2021 from the New Orleans Saints, made a notable impact with 171 tackles, 61 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles over 72 games. Despite injuries limiting him to just seven games in 2025, where he recorded 16 tackles and four sacks, his presence was missed as the Bengals fell short of the postseason.
In light of the failed Crosby trade, ESPN insider Adam Schefter shared that Hendrickson initially believed he would team up with Crosby in Baltimore. Hendrickson was reportedly excited about the potential pairing, though he remains satisfied with his new contract.
The idea of Hendrickson and Crosby together would have posed a formidable challenge for any NFL quarterback, save for perhaps Lamar Jackson. But with the trade off the table, the Ravens opted for a different path, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.