When pressed on his feelings regarding the reunion or the prospect of facing former teammate
Focusing on the present
Hendrickson, who signed a four-year, $112 million deal with Baltimore this offseason, spent a highly productive tenure in Cincinnati, recording 61 sacks between 2021 and 2025. His departure followed a period of tension that included a contract dispute and a season-ending back injury last year. Addressing any potential lingering animosity, Hendrickson noted that he has chosen to move forward, citing his faith as a guiding principle. He acknowledged the positive memories from his time in Ohio but maintained that his current focus is entirely on the upcoming game.
The veteran edge rusher has had a challenging start to his Ravens career, having broken a finger in the season opener, which forced him to miss two games following surgery. While he has recorded two sacks so far, his impact remains significant; he currently ranks third in the league with a 30% pass rush win rate. His teammate, linebacker Trenton Simpson, expects a breakout performance this weekend, predicting a multiple-sack outing from the veteran.
Mutual respect from Cincinnati
The sentiment in Cincinnati appears equally measured. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow offered a brief assessment of his former teammate, describing his five-season tenure as “productive.” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor echoed this professional tone, noting that while Hendrickson is a talented player, the team’s focus is on executing a comprehensive game plan against the entire Baltimore defense.
Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who has personal experience with team transitions, acknowledged that Hendrickson will likely be highly motivated for the contest. As both teams prepare for the divisional clash, the focus remains on the immediate tactical challenge rather than the history between the player and his former organization.
