Ravens HC Jesse Minter discusses adding Trey Hendrickson after Maxx Crosby saga

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta allegedly wanted to acquire both former Cincinnati Bengals defensive star Trey Hendrickson and Las Vegas Raiders pass-rusher Maxx Crosby this offseason. 

While the Ravens ultimately signed Hendrickson to a four-year, $112M contract that could be worth up to $120M, Baltimore backed out of sending two first-round draft picks to Las Vegas for Crosby after he failed a physical for reasons related to the meniscus surgery he needed this past January. On Sunday, NFL Media's Steve Wyche asked recently hired Ravens head coach and respected defensive guru Jesse Minter about having Hendrickson on the roster. 

How Trey Hendrickson will help the Ravens' defense

"Trey is a closer," Minter said, per Christian Gonzales of the NFL's website. "I mean, he's a guy that has the second-most sacks in the fourth quarter of games since 2021. That's an area where we want to improve and want to finish out games when we have the lead. We've had more leads in the fourth quarter than any team in the last five years. So, getting a guy like that will help our pass rush, help the defensive backs, rushing coverage work together."

DeCosta insisted that "it was disappointing" that he was unable to pair Hendrickson with Crosby. However, some people within the NFL seem to think DeCosta always viewed trading for Crosby as an insurance move in the event that Hendrickson signed with a different team. 

Hendrickson played in just seven games this past season before he needed core surgery in December. From the start of the 2023 campaign through the 2024 season, he recorded the league's most regular-season sacks (35).

Ravens are clearly excited about having Trey Hendrickson

"When you add a primary premium pass-rusher," Minter added, "it makes everybody else's job on the defense easier at times. He's gonna draw a lot of attention. I think our pass rush in general is gonna be a lot better, because other people may have more one-on-one opportunities. And then the DBs, you know, when you don't have to cover as long, it makes life easier. We couldn't be more excited to add Trey."

Outsiders may never know if DeCosta truly intended to have Hendrickson and Crosby on the Baltimore roster this coming fall. What's done is done, and Minter will now hope that Hendrickson reclaims his best form with his new employer.