Trey Hendrickson Bio
Trey Hendrickson (born December 5, 1994) is an American professional football defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Atlantic Owls and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. Hendrickson signed with the Bengals in 2021 and won the 2024 Deacon Jones Award after leading the NFL in sacks that season.
Across his professional career, Hendrickson has developed into one of the league’s most productive pass rushers. He is a four-time Pro Bowl selection, a first-team All-Pro, and the holder of the Cincinnati Bengals’ single-season sack record. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed at 265 pounds, he is widely regarded for his quick first step, motor, and ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks.
Early Life and Background
Trey Hendrickson was born on December 5, 1994, in Orlando, Florida. He grew up in Central Florida and attended Apopka High School, where he developed into a highly regarded defensive prospect. His father, Collie Hendrickson, played football at Missouri Southern State University, giving the younger Hendrickson an early connection to the sport and an understanding of the work required to compete at higher levels.
Hendrickson credits much of his early competitive foundation to family support and the football culture in Florida. He has spoken about training alongside his father and learning the fundamentals of the defensive line position from a young age. Those formative experiences shaped his approach to the game and prepared him for the rigors of college recruitment.
At Apopka High School, Hendrickson earned recognition as one of the top defensive ends in the state. His combination of size, speed, and instincts drew attention from several college programs, and he ultimately committed to Florida Atlantic University. He majored in criminal justice at Florida Atlantic, balancing his academic responsibilities with a demanding football schedule.
Path to American Football
Hendrickson enrolled at Florida Atlantic University and played for the Florida Atlantic Owls from 2013 to 2016. As he developed within the program, he grew into one of the most disruptive defensive players in Conference USA. His senior season in 2016 marked a turning point, as he earned C-USA Defensive Player of the Year honors and established himself as an NFL prospect.
Following the 2016 season, Hendrickson received an invitation to the 2017 East-West Shrine Game, where he was named the game’s defensive Most Valuable Player. His performance in the all-star showcase helped solidify his draft stock, with most experts projecting him as a third or fourth round selection. The New Orleans Saints ultimately chose him in the third round, 103rd overall, of the 2017 NFL draft.
Coming out of Florida Atlantic, Hendrickson was viewed as a developmental edge rusher with starting potential. His path to the NFL reflected steady improvement and a strong foundation built through college coaching and competition. The opportunity to enter a defensive system coordinated by the Saints gave him a clear professional roadmap.
Trey Hendrickson Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
On June 2, 2017, the Saints signed Hendrickson to a four-year, $3.17 million contract that included a signing bonus of $706,288. He competed throughout training camp for a defensive end role and was initially named the backup to Cameron Jordan and Alex Okafor. Hendrickson made his regular-season debut on September 17, 2017, against the New England Patriots, recording three combined tackles. The following week, he posted his first career sack against Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.
In 2018, Hendrickson’s opportunities were limited as he appeared in five regular-season games, recording eight combined tackles and four quarterback hits. He continued to develop behind established veterans and refine his technique. The patience of the Saints’ coaching staff reflected their long-term view of his potential as a pass rusher.
New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (2019-2020)
Hendrickson’s role expanded significantly in 2019. In the season opener against the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football, he recorded two sacks. He finished the 2019 season with 4.5 sacks, 19 total tackles, and one forced fumble, demonstrating the growth that would define his next campaign.
The 2020 season represented Hendrickson’s emergence as a top-tier pass rusher. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9, he sacked Tom Brady twice during a 38-3 win. Two weeks later against the Kansas City Chiefs, he recorded two sacks on Patrick Mahomes, including a strip sack that was recovered by New Orleans. He closed the 2020 season with 13.5 sacks, 25 total tackles, one pass defended, and one forced fumble. He was ranked 73rd by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021 and was voted to the PFWA All-NFL team.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2021-Present)
On March 19, 2021, Hendrickson signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was named the team’s starting right defensive end and quickly delivered one of the most productive seasons in franchise history. In his first year, he recorded 14 sacks, breaking the Bengals’ single-season sack record and finishing fifth in the league. He also contributed during the Bengals’ playoff run, including a strip sack of Derek Carr in the Wild Card win over the Las Vegas Raiders and a sack in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He was named to his first Pro Bowl and ranked 78th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.
In 2022, Hendrickson returned as the starting right defensive end and earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 3 after recording 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles against the New York Jets. A wrist injury briefly interrupted his season, but he returned to finish with eight sacks, 32 total tackles, three passes defended, and three forced fumbles. He earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and was ranked 73rd on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.
Hendrickson signed a contract extension through the 2025 season on July 27, 2023. During the 2023 season, he surpassed his own franchise record by recording 17.5 sacks, along with a career-high 43 tackles. He tied for the second most sacks in the NFL that season and was selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl. In 2024, he led the league with 17.5 sacks, recorded 46 tackles, six passes defensed, and two forced fumbles, and was named first-team All-Pro. He was recognized as the winner of the 2024 Deacon Jones Award as the NFL’s sack leader.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hendrickson is recognized for his explosive first step, disciplined hand usage, and relentless motor. He excels at converting speed to power against offensive tackles and is highly effective on passing downs. His ability to finish plays with strip sacks has made him one of the most disruptive edge defenders in the league, and he pairs his pass-rushing skill with consistent run defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hendrickson set the Cincinnati Bengals’ single-season sack record in 2021 with 14 sacks and broke his own mark in 2023 with 17.5 sacks. He was part of the Bengals’ Super Bowl LVI run, recording a sack in the championship game against the Los Angeles Rams. His 2024 season, which included four sacks against the Las Vegas Raiders and 3.5 sacks against the Pittsburgh Steelers, cemented his status as one of the NFL’s premier defensive ends.
Trey Hendrickson Career Wins
Hendrickson’s career is defined by his productivity as a pass rusher, with multiple double-digit sack seasons and Pro Bowl recognition. Across his time with the New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals, he has established himself as a perennial threat against opposing quarterbacks.
Cincinnati Bengals Highlights
Since joining Cincinnati in 2021, Hendrickson has recorded 14 sacks in 2021, 8 in 2022, 17.5 in 2023, and 17.5 in 2024, setting and resetting the franchise single-season sack record. He has been selected to four consecutive Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2024. He was also named the 2024 Deacon Jones Award winner as the league’s sack leader.
Other Wins and Performances
During his tenure with the New Orleans Saints, Hendrickson delivered key performances, including two-sack games against the Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Kansas City Chiefs. He was voted to the PFWA All-NFL team for the 2020 season, recognizing his breakout campaign.
Trey Hendrickson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hendrickson’s family background is rooted in athletics. His father, Collie Hendrickson, played football at Missouri Southern State University and introduced him to the sport at an early age. The influence of his father’s football experience helped shape Hendrickson’s discipline and competitive drive.
Personal Life
Hendrickson is a Christian and has spoken publicly about the role of faith in his life. He majored in criminal justice at Florida Atlantic University, reflecting his interest in life beyond football. He has maintained a presence in Florida during portions of his professional career and continues to balance his football commitments with his personal interests.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been defined by ongoing contract negotiations between Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals. After refusing to trade or extend him in the 2024 offseason, the Bengals granted him permission to seek a trade in March 2025, though no trade partner was found. Hendrickson did not report to the first day of training camp on July 22, 2025, and chose to remain in Florida during his holdout.
On July 30, Hendrickson reported to camp but withheld from practice and on-field drills. Although a long-term extension was not finalized, the Bengals and Hendrickson agreed to a contract restructure on August 25 that increased his 2025 salary by $14 million, bringing the maximum value to $30 million and ending his hold-in.
Heading into the regular season, Hendrickson remains the centerpiece of the Bengals’ defensive front and is expected to play a central role in the team’s pass-rushing efforts. His production and leadership will be critical to Cincinnati’s defensive outlook, and the resolution of his contract situation is expected to influence both his performance and the team’s long-term plans.