OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson made it clear Wednesday that he was not interested in talking about his upcoming reunion with the Cincinnati Bengals, sidestepping repeated questions about his first game against his former team.
As the Ravens prepare to play the Bengals on Sunday, Hendrickson did not want to talk about what emotions he may have facing Cincinnati and chose not to directly answer a question about whether he's looking forward to sacking his former teammate Joe Burrow.
"It's not about me," Hendrickson said. "It's about the team and what I can bring and what we can collectively do as a unit."
Hendrickson, 31, signed a four-year, $112 million contract with the Ravens this offseason after four Pro Bowl seasons with the Bengals. His 61 sacks with Cincinnati from 2021-25 ranked as the fourth most in the league.
Last year, Hendrickson had a contract dispute with the Bengals that lasted throughout spring workouts and training camp. He eventually received a $14 million raise before the start of the season.
Asked if there was any bad blood with the Bengals, Hendrickson said, "As a Christian, I forgive and I move on. There are wonderful times that I had there. There will be a time to reflect on all that stuff. But right now, there's an opponent in front of us. As the Ravens, we look forward to capitalizing on everything we can."
Hendrickson broke a finger on his right hand in the third quarter of the season opener and then missed two games following surgery. He has two sacks for Baltimore this season, but his 30% pass rush win rate ranks third in the league, according to ESPN Analytics.
Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson predicts a big game from Hendrickson on Sunday.
"I believe that this game for him is about to be like one of those ones, like [a] multiple-sack game," Simpson said. "I'm calling it, [and] I'm excited to see the celebration he does." Similarly, those in Cincinnati have had very little to say about facing Hendrickson again.
When asked to sum up Hendrickson's five seasons with the Bengals, Burrow had a one-word response: "Productive."
Bengals coach Zac Taylor was also limited in his comments about the former Pro Bowl edge rusher.
"He's a good player," Taylor said on Monday. "And so again, they have a lot of good players on their defense and we got to put together a great plan and be able to execute it to give ourselves the best chance to win."
Hendrickson is one of three former Bengals players to reach at least four Pro Bowls. Hendrickson and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase were Cincinnati's only two first-team All-Pro selections in the past 10 years.
However, Hendrickson's time ended unceremoniously after a back injury that sidelined him for the bulk of last season, one that occurred following unfulfilled trade requests and the lack of a long-term extension.
But Cincinnati knows Hendrickson will be especially motivated against his former club.
"Just the way that things ended here, from a personal and player perspective, I get it," said Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who started his career with the Ravens. "I've been in that position before as well. I imagine he will have a little extra to play for."
ESPN's Ben Baby contributed to this report.