The NFL sack leader just posted 17.5 sacks for the second-straight season and is consistently maxing out prime years entering his 30s. Hendrickson is Cincinnati's best defensive player and is the 11th-highest-paid defensive end in the NFL.

CINCINNATI — Trey Hendrickson is the Week 18 AFC Defensive Player of the Week. The news marks Hendrickson'sthird time winning the award after notching five tackles, 3.5 sacks, seven pressures (second-most in a game this season), and one pass breakup.

The Bengals did not make it to the postseason, but one of their best players has received some recognition for his performance in Week 18.

Historic seasons from Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson aren’t enough to get Cincinnati into the playoffs.

The pair were named to the Associated Press All-Pro First Team after receiving the same honor from the NFL Players Association vote earlier this week.

After requesting a trade to protest not getting an extension, Hendrickson proved his worth again during the season.

Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson recorded 17.5 sacks this season, taking the sack crown for the 2024 campaign. And he did so without much help elsewhere. Joseph Ossai finished second with five sacks, followed by defensive tackles B.J. Hill and Kris Jenkins with three each.

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Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, named a Pro Bowler ... the first quarter of their NFL Week 18 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. He added 2.5 sacks later ...

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson's season total ... during the Bengals' NFL Week 18 win Saturday night in Pittsburgh. Hendrickson entered Week 18 tied with the Cleveland Browns ...

Walker is a great place to start rebuilding this defense around Trey Hendrickson ... my thought is to bolster the defense. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State No drama.

What else speaks to Hendrickson’s importance? The droves of trade ideas making the rounds, such a recent one that suggests the Chicago Bears could get him from the Bengals in return for a third-round pick, courtesy of Bear Report’s Andrew Freeman: