OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Trey Hendrickson had a close-up view of the Ravens for several seasons while playing for the Cincinnati Bengals — and even if he hadn’t been in the same division, he’d have been well aware of the talent Baltimore possessed.

“I’ve seen a lot of purple at the Pro Bowls over the last four years,” Hendrickson said. “It’s something that I’m excited to play with those guys. I got to meet them and their families at those type of events, which what a blessing to be a part of that. You get to see the behind the mask. We’re all people at the end of the day. But a place like this — the standard of defense is very high.”

Now Hendrickson joins a Baltimore defense that already included Kyle Hamilton in the secondary and Roquan Smith at linebacker. The Ravens signed Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million deal, and they introduced him at a news conference Friday.

Baltimore agreed to, then backed out of, a trade for pass rushing star Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders. Then the Ravens landed Hendrickson to fill a similar role.

His signing ended a productive but occasionally contentious five years for Hendrickson in Cincinnati. He had 17 1/2 sacks in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Then he requested a trade, and a contract dispute dragged on until he received a $14 million raise for one more season with the Bengals.

Hendrickson said staying in the AFC North wasn’t a big factor in his decision, but it was no surprise that he moved on from Cincinnati.

“It’s exciting to start something fresh. I think that was overdue for me,” Hendrickson said. “My family probably took a lot of things more personally than I did, which is saying something. So, for everybody to just kind of get a fresh start and build on this opportunity, it starts day one. I’m excited to get to work. I’m excited to embrace this city, embrace this culture and build from the ground up.”

For the Ravens, signing Hendrickson felt like a must after the trade for Crosby fell through. Baltimore has had some success producing a pass rush without giving out huge contracts to edge rushers, but that didn’t work last season, when the Ravens managed only 30 sacks, tied for the third-fewest in football.

Baltimore has also had a tendency to give away leads. That’s an area the Ravens are hoping to fix after Jesse Minter replaced John Harbaugh as coach in January.

Elsewhere:

– The Carolina Panthers found a one-year replacement for injured left tackle Ickey Ekwonu on Friday, agreeing to terms with free agent Rasheed Walker from the Green Bay Packers, according to a person familiar with the situation.

– The Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms Friday with cornerback Cobie Durant, who had an NFL-best three interceptions during the playoffs for the Los Angeles Rams last season.

– Rachaad White is leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. White signed with the Washington Commanders on Friday.

– The New York Giants are signing defensive back Jason Pinnock to a contract for next season, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

-The Tennessee Titans released cornerback L’Jarius Sneed on Friday after two disappointing seasons in a move that frees up more salary cap space for a franchise that has been investing heavily in free agents in the new NFL year.

– The San Francisco 49ers agreed to a two-year, $5.3 million deal to bring back Pro Bowl special teams player Luke Gifford.

– Prosecutors brought three felony charges against Atlanta Falcons player James Pearce Jr. stemming from an incident on Feb. 7 that police referred to as a domestic dispute with WNBA player and ex-girlfriend Rickea Jackson, according to a court document filed Thursday.