Trey Hendrickson's Role is Crucial for Ravens' 2026 Pass-Rush Success
Doug FarrarWed, July 1, 2026 at 11:45 AM UTC·4 min readGenerally speaking, when you pop the terms "Defensive football" and "Baltimore Ravens" into the same sentence, the results are positive. This is a franchise whose history is built more on defense than offense — the Ravens have ranked in the top 3 in points allowed a remarkable 12 times in the new millennium, and they were No. 1 in that metric in 2000, 2006, and 2023.
The 2025 Ravens were not at that level. They ranked 18th in the NFL in points allowed, and the lack of a credible pass rush was a major part of the problem. Last season, Baltimore's pressure rate of 19.0% was the NFL's fifth-worst, and only the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets had fewer sacks than the Ravens' 30.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe loss of stellar defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike for all but two games and 102 snaps to a potentially career-threatening neck injury took its toll, and the guys behind Madubuike in talent and on the depth chart didn't quite have it in them to replace that kind of impact. Interior lineman Travis Jones led the team with five sacks and 47 total pressures, and those are about half the totals you want from your best quarterback disruptor.
The Ravens finished 8-9 last season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021, so they made pass rush improvement a priority in the offseason. They first traded for Las Vegas Raiders star edge-rusher Maxx Crosby, but the Ravens negated that deal after a physical amplified concerns about Crosby's health following knee surgery. Then, they turned their attention to former New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson, signing Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million contract with $60 million guaranteed.
Which is a lot of scratch to give a 31-year-old edge defender who missed 10 games due to injury in the 2025 season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Ravens are hoping that the Hendrickson they get is the Hendrickson who put up matching 17.5-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024, but that's no sure thing. Hip, pelvis, and back issues limited the nine-year veteran to four sacks and 23 pressures last season, though he did his level best to fight through the maladies.
"This guy, when you watch him, I think he has, I don't know how many sacks in the last three years," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said right after the signing. "He was on pace this year for double-digit sacks before he got hurt. I just watched the tape. He's quick, he's fast, he's aggressive. He has great hand use. He can bend. He finishes; he chases, retrace — whatever you need him to do, he can do it. I love the passion he plays with. He knows our division. He's a student of the game. He knows the personnel. And listen, I've seen some of the best guys, especially at this position, play a very, very long time and do really well. We've had a few, and I think Trey's going to be the next guy to do that for us."
AdvertisementAdvertisementSo, the Ravens are not worried about the age and injury flags. Neither is Hendrickson.
"My wife and I evaluated all our options," he said at the press conference announcing his addition to the Ravens' roster. "We prayed about it. I'm in a ‘win-now’ window. Being in my career has been phenomenal, and I've been so blessed to meet great people and win a lot of games with Drew Brees and Joe Burrow, but this opportunity to hoist the Lombardi trophy and get into the win column and build something from the ground up is an amazing opportunity. So, a lot of things transpired. I've always been a ‘control what you can control’ type of guy. This is a great fit for me, and I'm excited for this season."
If Hendrickson can return to his 2023-2024 form, and he's doing his thing alongside a healthy Nnamdi Madubuike in new head coach Jesse Minter's defense, the Ravens should be in line for a big rebound. But if Hendrickson's 2025 season is more indicative of what is to come? The Ravens will be looking to redefine their pass-rush plan once again in 2027, and nobody in Charm City wants that.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
