For the Bengals, the loss of Hendrickson is nothing short of seismic. Since arriving in Cincinnati from New Orleans in 2021, Hendrickson has recorded 39.5 sacks, 84 quarterback hits, and has been a cornerstone of Lou Anarumo’s defense. His motor, leadership, and ability to disrupt plays from anywhere on the field helped lead the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and back-to-back playoff runs. Losing him now leaves a gaping hole in their pass rush and leadership structure.
Kansas City, meanwhile, isn’t wasting any time showing the rest of the league that their ambition for a three-peat is not just talk. With Patrick Mahomes operating the offense and now a reinforced defense anchored by Hendrickson and Jones, the Chiefs look poised to dominate both sides of the ball. The Chiefs were reportedly in competition with several high-profile teams including the Eagles, Cowboys, and Dolphins, but ultimately outbid all contenders with a jaw-dropping $109 million offer, $71 million of it guaranteed.
Fans at Arrowhead Stadium can expect fireworks not just from the offense, but now from the defense as well. Trey Hendrickson’s ability to take over games, force fumbles, and deliver game-changing sacks in the clutch could be the X-factor that makes Kansas City nearly unstoppable in the postseason. His arrival signals an evolution of the Chiefs’ identity—no longer relying solely on Mahomes’ brilliance, but building a legacy of dominance in every phase of the game.
Trey Hendrickson is expected to be introduced at a press conference at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium early next week. He will wear jersey number 91, bringing a new era of heat to Kansas City’s already fiery defense. With his relentless energy, proven production, and now the backing of the Chiefs Kingdom, Hendrickson could become the centerpiece of a defense that might just rival the offense for headlines this fall.
The AFC just got a lot scarier. And the Kansas City Chiefs just got a lot stronger.
