Ravens' Trey Hendrickson Draws JJ Watt Comparisons for Work Ethic

The Baltimore Ravens had a big goal in mind for the offseason: bring in more pass rush help. They accomplished that in a major way by signing Trey Hendrickson. 

Hendrickson brought in 17.5 sacks in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but an unfortunate injury led to a down year in 2025. Hendrickson continues to impress everyone with his work ethic, and he has drawn comparisons to J.J. Watt.

Read more: Roundtable Ravens Episode 32 - Nnamdi Madubuike Return, Lamar Jackson's Work Ethic, and More

Ravens defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has plenty of familiarity with Watt, as the coach worked with the future Hall of Famer during their time on the Houston Texans. Though Weaver indicated Watt and Hendrickson are different players, he sees the comparisons.

"Well, every day Trey's out here, he provides the map. So, if I'm a young guy, I'm trying to get in that toolbox and see what else I can use, see what he's seeing, right? Talking to him all the time, just trying to get little tidbits and see what I can apply to my game. Um, he's he there's a lot about him uh that reminds me of J.J. Watt," Weaver said.

Watt is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and has 114.5 career sacks. He was a dominant force on the Texans; Hendrickson doesn't have quite the same accolades, but his performances in recent seasons show a huge elevation.

Weaver sees similarities in Hendrickson's work ethic, which is something that continues to impress his fellow teammates.

Linebacker Tavius Robinson spoke to the media on Tuesday, revealing just how involved Hendrickson has been despite being a longtime veteran in the NFL.

"Yeah, Trey is honestly one of the hardest workers I've been around. Um, he's been here since the first voluntary workout and he was here all summer. So, you know, the past six week just been grinding, getting after it. So to see a guy like him who, you know, with the career that he's had, he doesn't have to be at anything that's not mandatory," Robinson said.

Hendrickson being in the building for every workout is part of the kind of "map" that Weaver was speaking about. He is showing how to operate at a high-level to his fellow Ravens teammates, but also to the younger players coming in.

Baltimore was heavily criticized for its defensive performance in 2025, and Hendrickson was brought in, along with Calais Campbell, to correct the downfalls of the unit.

Defensive leader and Ravens playmaker Roquan Smith has been very vocal about his own performance and the defense in 2025, but pointed to having an elite pass rush that can help pull off pressure for everyone. 

"Man, I think I think truly like having some elite pass rushers, and obviously Trey's track record speaks for itself, but like over my years like playing with guys like Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn, you know, and different guys like that. And like when you have like elite pass rushers ... I think once you have that, it takes off so much stress from everyone," Smith said.

The Ravens went from having a league second 52 sacks in 2024 to dropping down to the bottom five with 30 in 2025. A big reason for the drop were injuries to Teddye Buchanan, Nnamdi Madubuike, and more.

Smith also indicated that using injuries as an excuse is not welcome, but it was the situational circumstance that the team had to deal with.

Read more: Ravens HC Jesse Minter Says Nnamdi Madubuike Return is Still a 'Process'

Now, the Ravens appear to be fully healthy, and they are getting back both Buchanan and Madubuike. The latter was removed from the PUP (physically unable to perform) list, and returned to practice.

Head coach Jesse Minter indicated it is still a process for Madubuike to return fully to play, but he is on the right track. Buchanan is also starting to make his own return, and could be removed from the PUP list as early as next week.

Minter and Weaver are both the defensive minds that will band together to create the schemes for the 2026 season, but there are more than enough players who can emerge in a significant way.