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'It's a no-brainer' — Recently retired Pro Bowler gives Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson two of the best compliments he could receive

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By John Sheeran | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 12:45 PM ET

Former five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead called it a career this offseason after 12 great years in the NFL, and he will not miss playing against the likes of Trey Hendrickson.

Armstead revealed in a recent interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio that the Cincinnati Bengals' All-Pro defensive end is one of three (really four) players who made him not want to suit up for another season, including him with Los Angeles Rams DE Jared Verse, Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett, and Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby.

"It's between Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby," Armstead said of his third choice. "So I have to split three from both of those two crazy young men. I'm all right. I'm alright never seen those guys again either."

The listing of Hendrickson with the Defensive Rookie of the Year, a former Defensive Player of the Year, and a fellow four-time Pro Bowler spurred Armstead to also speak on Hendrickson's current contract dilemma with the Bengals.

"I'm not gonna talk bad about Cincinnati, but that's a no-brainer. Trey, it's a no-brainer," Armstead said of extending Hendrickson. "You need him on the team. He's he's one of the best, if not the best pass rusher in the game. He's consistent, he's relentless. You have to have him. The defense is completely different without him."

Recently retired @T_Armstead72 listed the current pass rushers in the game that made his decision to retire a lot easier

https://t.co/v3G0iz5IH6 @BillLekas | @RobertJTurbin pic.twitter.com/JkknGnGEoF
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) June 17, 2025

Armstead is the latest to voice his support for Hendrickson's situation in Cincinnati. The 30-year old skipped the entirety of the club's offseason workout schedule and has made his frustration loud and clear numerous times to the media. He's gone the extra mile to exercise his leverage against the front office.

Before Hendrickson joined the Bengals in 2021, he would practice against Armstead while they were both teammates on the New Orleans Saints. Armstead had four years of experience over Hendrickson and was in his prime while Hendrickson was fighting for starting reps during his first three years.

The only time Armstead faced Hendrickson outside of practice was in 2022 when Cincinnati defeated the Miami Dolphins on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 4 of that season. Hendrickson accounted for six pressures and two hits on the quarterback that night. Playing him once was enough as Armstead retired months before the Dolphins host Hendrickson's Bengals in Week 16 of the 2025 season.

Deserves to be paid, and avoiding him on the field brings relief. Two major compliments from one former teammate to another.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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