Trey Hendrickson’s case for Defensive Player of the Year: The Bengals’ unstoppable force in 2024

“He was crucial to my development as a football player… and I am forever grateful for a leader, a mentor and a friend like Cam Jordan,” Hendrickson shared in a recent interview. “He is a good man and God bless him because it has allowed me to sharpen myself and make the things I learned from him my own in my own way.”

Hendrickson broke out for the Saints in 2020 with 13.5 sacks, matching his current season total. His performance earned him a four-year, $60 million contract with the Bengals, where he continues to thrive. Last offseason he secured an extension to stay in Cincinnati until 2025.

The connection between Cam Jordan and Trey Hendrickson

Hendrickson and Jordan have a strong connection that was formed during their years together with the Saints. The camaraderie was evident as Jordan reacted to Hendrickson’s recent success, tweeting: “Henny – what’s possible, it was always HIM!! Me, Davenport and him watched each other’s training every day! My brother!!!”

Jordan has remained a loyal Saints player despite the team’s struggles. Now in his 14th year, Jordan continues to provide leadership even as the Saints face challenges.

The DPoY conversation

Hendrickson’s performance puts him firmly in the DPoY discussion alongside names like TJ Watt and Myles Garrett. Watt currently leads the odds for the award, but Hendrickson’s performance and consistency make him a worthy contender.

The current betting odds from FanDuel Sportsbook paint a clear picture of the DPoY race:

• TJ Watt: -220 (Favorite)
• Patrick Surtain: +380
• Nik Bonitto: +1800
• Will Anderson Jr.: +2500
• Trey Hendrickson: +3000
• Myles Garrett: +3300

Hendrickson is tied with several others but is well behind TJ Watt, who remains the clear favorite. Even Myles Garrett, who was one of the top three candidates just a few weeks ago, saw his chances drop significantly.

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