Joe Burrow is not pretending Trey Hendrickson’s AFC North switch is just another offseason move. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback now has to deal with his former pass-rushing teammate twice a year after Hendrickson signed a four-year, $112 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
After five seasons in Cincinnati, the star defensive end leaves behind a massive résumé: 61.0 sacks and 171 combined tackles across 72 games with the Bengals.
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Burrow, however, did not sound rattled by the blockbuster move.
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“That’ll definitely be fun,” he said, via Shelby Dermer of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
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The Bengals QB also admitted the move did not shock him.
“Not very surprising. I know Trey, I love Trey, and I just know how he operates,” Burrow said.
Hendrickson earned all four of his Pro Bowl selections during his Bengals run.
Joe Burrow knows the matchup will be box-office NFL drama.
“Anytime we play the Ravens, that one is circled,” he said.
Cincinnati gets its first look at Hendrickson in purple in Week 7 at M&T Bank Stadium.
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Joe Burrow gets honest on Bengals’ 2026 NFL season outlook
The Bengals had an ugly 6-11 season in 2025. Their biggest issues last year were obvious. The defense needed a serious makeover, thus the front office finally moved like a team tired of wasting Burrow’s prime.
The Bengals signed Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, and Jonathan Allen in free agency before making a splash trade for Dexter Lawrence. They also added edge rusher Cashius Howell in the second round and cornerback Tacario Davis in the third.
Burrow is optimistic about the team’s outlook in the upcoming season.
“They’re going to keep getting great players to come play for the Bengals,” he said, adding that it is now on him, Zac Taylor and team leaders to bring the locker room together… We have everything we need,” Burrow added.
Let’s see what the Bengals have in store for their fans in 2026.
Edited by Prasen
