The Bengals Just Avoided A HUGE DISASTER With Trey Hendrickson | Bengals Rumors

The Cincinnati Bengals may have made the right decision moving on from Trey Hendrickson, especially after seeing how Boye Mafe has performed following his arrival in Cincinnati. With Hendrickson now in Baltimore on a massive contract, the comparison between the two pass rushers is becoming a major storyline in the AFC North.

Trey Hendrickson was one of the Bengals’ most productive defensive players, recording 17.5 sacks and establishing himself as one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers. However, his contract disputes, missed time, and the way his Cincinnati tenure ended created questions about whether the team should bring him back. The Baltimore Ravens ultimately signed Hendrickson to a four-year deal worth $112 million, with incentives that could push the value to $120 million.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati signed Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million contract with $19 million guaranteed. Mafe has shown the ability to pressure quarterbacks, make plays behind the line of scrimmage, and contribute against the run. His versatility gives the Bengals’ defense another option without committing the same amount of guaranteed money.

Did Duke Tobin and the Bengals front office make a smart move by letting Hendrickson walk? Could Mafe prove to be the better overall fit for Cincinnati’s defensive scheme? The discussion also covers the impact of Cash Haw, Myles Murphy, Jonathan Allen, and Dexter Lawrence on the Bengals’ defensive line.

With Hendrickson now playing for a division rival, the upcoming Bengals-Ravens matchup carries even more intrigue. Cincinnati will get an opportunity to measure its decision against the player it once relied on to lead the pass rush.

Plus, take a look at the latest AFC North futures on Kalshi and find out where the Bengals stand in the race for the division title.

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