Trade buzz pours more fuel on the fire for Ravens bitter rival

The Cincinnati Bengals missed the playoffs for the second straight season in 2024, and it's not getting any prettier. After the Baltimore Ravens reclaimed their throne atop the AFC North and swept the Bengals in the regular season series, Cincinnati sputtered throughout the year. They came up short in the playoff race and are wasting some of the NFL’s best offensive talent.

While they showcased an elite passing season in 2024, the defense was an immense problem, and it doesn’t look like they’ll try to change that tune anytime soon. Pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who led the league in sacks last year with 17.5, wants a new contract before the season, and the Bengals seem reluctant to do business.

NFL.com had several analysts list one trade they’d like to see this offseason, and three mentioned potential Hendrickson trades. Teams are bound to call about the disgruntled superstar, and at this point, it looks like he’s on his way out the door.

Trey Hendrickson saga proves the Bengals don’t care about defense

The Bengals were seen as a perennial Super Bowl contender just a few seasons ago. However, with the recent play of their defense, they’ve had problems shutting down the league’s best offenses. The Ravens hung 35 and 41 points on the group last year, and while the Bengals’ offense matched their pace in both matchups, the inept defense was too much to overcome. They were bottom-10 in the league in yards and points allowed, and the team finished the year at 9-8. Now, the defense is looking like it’ll only get worse. 

In the NFL.com article, all three trades that included Hendrickson and sent him to teams that value defense and would likely give him the money he’s worth. Marc Ross wants to see him land with the Philadelphia Eagles, Jeffri Chadiha with the Washington Commanders, and Kevin Patra with the New England Patriots. 

The Bengals should learn a thing or two from these suitors. The Eagles are coming off a Super Bowl win that saw their defensive line feast in the backfield, propelling the team to a blowout victory. In Washington, their team is on the rise and led by head coach Dan Quin, one of the best defensive minds in the game. New England also shifted focus to the defensive side this offseason, signing notable free agents Milton Williams, Harold Landry, and Carlton Davis to improve all phases of the defense. 

Teams are forking up the money for star defenders, and superstar pass rushers are rare. Losing Hendrickson would be a generational fumble by the Bengals. The defensive unit lacks star power around the field, and while there are solid starters, the defense revolves around the 30-year-old sack artist. His 88.1 Pro Football Focus grade was far and away the best on the defense. Without him, they would be in even bigger trouble.

The situation is music to Ravens fans’ ears. It’s looking like Hendrickson will hold out, and there’s no sign of the Bengals budging either. If the holdout continues into the regular season, the league's top quarterbacks will feel relief knowing they won't face him. Now might be the best time to trade him, but if Cincinnati can’t come to terms with doing that, they’ll be staring down another poor defensive campaign.

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