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In a quick and pricey pivot after their nixed blockbuster trade for Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby, the Ravens have reportedly agreed to sign top free-agent edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
The four-year, $112 million deal is worth $28 million annually and can reach $120 million total with incentives, according to ESPN. The deal can be finalized as soon as 4 p.m. Wednesday, when the NFL’s new league year opens.
The high-profile acquisition comes 13 hours after the Raiders said the Ravens had “backed out” of a trade that would have sent Crosby, a five-time Pro Bowl defensive end, to Baltimore in exchange for the team’s 2026 and 2027 first-round draft picks. It’s believed the deal fell apart because of concerns over Crosby’s physical. Trades are contingent on players passing a physical, which Crosby reportedly failed. The deal was set to be finalized Wednesday, with Crosby having arrived in Baltimore on Monday.
Hendrickson, a four-time Pro Bowler with the Cincinnati Bengals, was an All-Pro selection in 2024 after he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. He was considered one of the top free agents available in this class and fills a need in coach Jesse Minter’s defense.
The Ravens had 30 sacks total last season and just 13 from their edge rushers. Since 2021, Hendrickson ranks second in the NFL in pressure rate (13.2%), fourth in total sacks (61) and fourth in sacks that result in fumbles (11), according to ESPN, using his elite get-off and hand-fighting ability to shed blockers.

But Hendrickson has his own medical questions. He will turn 32 in December and missed most of last season with a core muscle injury that required surgery. He finished with just four sacks in seven games. Hendrickson’s ability as a run defender, an important attribute in Minter’s defensive schemes, is also well below Crosby’s.
Hendrickson headed into the week hoping to receive a contract that averaged at least $35 million per year, according to reports, but the market for him was closer to $25 million to $27 million in recent days.
With the trade for Crosby nixed, the Ravens have 11 picks in April’s draft, including No. 14 overall. Their initial deal for Crosby marked the first time in franchise history that they’d traded a first-round pick for a veteran player.
This story has been updated.






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