The Buffalo Bills tried to sign edge rusher Trey Hendrickson before the veteran ultimately landed a lucrative deal with the Baltimore Ravens. But how close did they come to signing him?
The Buffalo Bills have spent the last couple of weeks looking for ways to improve the team's pass rush, and one of the players firmly on their radar was veteran edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
In a recent interview with The Buffalo News, general manager Brandon Beane spoke about the team's interest in the All-Pro.
Ultimately, Hendrickson ended up elsewhere, signing a four-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens that's worth up to $120 million and includes $60 million guaranteed. But before that deal came together, the Bills were involved in the conversation.
Beane said Buffalo stayed engaged with Hendrickson during the process, even as the team explored other options to strengthen the defensive front.
"I’m going to stay in it until I know I can’t afford it,” Beane said. "We’ve landed many deals that, quite candidly, didn’t think we’d be able to, but you stay in it long enough to form a relationship if it’s legal. Sometimes myself or a coach will call a player and say, 'Hey, I know you might get more elsewhere, but come here.'"
The interest made sense. Hendrickson has been one of the NFL’s most productive pass rushers over the past few seasons. He recorded 17.5 sacks in both 2023 and 2024 and has built a reputation as a player who can consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks.
But the financial side of the deal made things difficult for Buffalo.
"With Trey, we were definitely interested. He’s a good player," Beane added. "But, yes, you’re right. It was going to be hard to fit unless he took less than what he got."
In the end, Hendrickson chose Baltimore’s offer.
The Bills still addressed their need on the edge shortly after. Buffalo signed veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb to help strengthen a defensive front that struggled to generate pressure at times last season.
Buffalo finished the 2025 season ranked 20th in sacks, with Greg Rousseau leading the team with seven.
While Hendrickson would have added another proven pass rusher to the mix, the cost ultimately pushed the Bills toward other options as they worked to improve both their pass rush and run defense heading into the new season.
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