Look: Glaring Difference in Bengals' Pass Defense With And Without Trey Hendrickson

There aren't many more impactful defensive players in the NFL.

Jan 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) pressures Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images / Sam Greene/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — The eye test is clear about how impactful Trey Hendrickson is and so are the numbers. Warren Sharp broke down the Bengals' defensive passing performance with Hendrickson on the field (909 dropbacks) and off the field (294 dropbacks) over the prior two seasons and its glaringly different.

Cincinnati goes from one of the better pass defenses in the league to easily the worst. Check out the advanced numbers below:

OFF field: #32 success rate allowed (55%), #32 completion rate (69%), #32 EPA/attempt (+0.16), #32 passer rating (106.2), #32 pressure rate (25%) 

ON field: #8 success rate allowed (44%), #11 completion rate (64%), #19 EPA/attempt (-0.00), #8 passer rating, (86.9), #12 pressure rate (35%)

Hendrickson has already declared he will not play this season on his current contract. If no agreement is made and he holds true to that statement, Cincinnati could field the league's worst defense overall, not just passing. They have added one starter to the unit this offseason in defensive tackle TJ Slaton.

The players usually have little leverage in these contract negotiations because of one big factor: Time.

Hendrickson has a limited window to earn NFL money at 30 years old, while the Bengals aren't stopping their operations anytime soon. But if they are serious about wanting to win a Super Bowl next February, then Week 1 is the clear deadline to make Hendrickson happy.

It's pretty unrealistic to expect a championship season without him.

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