Here’s why the Bengals defense is hopeless without Trey Hendrickson

Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty ImagesBut they may be tanking their team’s chances of winning games in the process.

Not only did Hendrickson record 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons, but he single-handedly made the defense above average in several categories, as analyst Warren Sharp points out in the Twitter post below (be sure to read his entire thread).

reading about how Trey Hendrickson is "extremely dug in"

he should be

with him not playing (off the field), Cincy's pass D last 2 yrs:

#32 pressure %

#32 completion %

#32 success %

#32 passer rating

with him on the field, Cincy's def ranks TOP-12 in EVERY ONE OF THOSE STATS

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 29, 2025 As you can see, over the last two…