Trey Hendrickson predicted to ditch Bengals for AFC North rival in free agency

The Cincinnati Bengals are entering an offseason to build up a better pass rush unit, adding offensive line help, and rounding out the back-seven of the defense for the 2026 season.

No position is of greater interest than the pass rusher group. Trey Hendrickson is hitting free agency, and with his departure possible, the Bengals will need to figure out a solution at the position.

A prediction from Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports would be some brutal news for the Bengals. Not only does Pereles predict that Hendrickson would leave this offseason, but that he would join the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens.

Bengals predicted to lose Trey Hendrickson to Ravens

"DE Trey Hendrickson: Ravens. The Ravens finished 31st in sack rate, and they could lose many edge defenders in free agency," Pereles writes. "There's a clear need here, and Hendrickson fits the Ravens' win-now window."

While the odds of Hendrickson leaving the Bengals this offseason are high, it doesn't make the potential loss of Hendrickson to a division rival sting any less.

After four Pro Bowl seasons in Cincinnati, this past year didn't go as planned. He played in just seven games as he dealt with an injury, leaving both the Bengals and Hendrickson unsatisfied with the likely final year of his deal.

More: Bengals could let Trey Hendrickson walk to sign different pass rusher on prove-it deal

After back-to-back 17.5 sack seasons, there was plenty of optimism with Hendrickson going forward. But the Bengals pass rusher didn't have the year anyone was hoping for, and now will likely leave in free agency.

But this predicted landing spot for Hendrickson from Pereles would be the worst possible spot for the Bengals.

Seeing this incredible player leave in free agency will be hard enough as it is, but seeing the Ravens, a hated divisional foe, land him on a likely discounted deal after his injury-impacted season would simply make things a whole lot worse for the Bengals.

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