Pittsburgh Review

After the Thanksgiving festivities, the focus shifts to a key matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals' offense, led by Joe Burrow, has garnered significant attention. However, defensive end Trey Hendrickson is a crucial player on their defense.

Hendrickson has been recognized for his exceptional performance on the field. At 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, he stands out as a formidable opponent in his eighth year. He currently boasts 11.5 sacks this season and has made significant contributions with 24 quarterback hits and 12 tackles in 2024.

With a career total of 71 sacks, Hendrickson is not just effective at pass rushing but also excels against the run with 64 career tackles for loss. His technique involves maintaining a low pad level and using an explosive first step to establish control during plays.

Hendrickson's versatility allows him to set edges or penetrate inside quickly, creating challenges for opposing offenses. His power from the edge is notable, employing long arms for leverage much like Cam Heyward's approach.

He employs varied tactics in his rushes—combining bull rushes with speed moves akin to a skilled pitcher mixing pitches—to challenge opponents like Steelers LT Dan Moore effectively.

Despite vulnerabilities in the Bengals' overall defense leading to high points allowed, Hendrickson remains a critical factor in games due to his ability to disrupt plays consistently if left unchecked.