Boye Mafe Aims to Anchor Bengals’ Pass Rush After Trey Hendrickson Departure

The Cincinnati Bengals are entering a new chapter on defense, seeking to maintain their pass-rushing prowess after the exit of star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. To help fill that void, the team has turned to Boye Mafe, a rising talent who has shown promise over the past two NFL seasons.

Mafe, who played with the Seattle Seahawks before landing in Cincinnati, delivered a combined total of 15 sacks across the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The Bengals are banking on his ability to replicate—and potentially surpass—this performance as he takes on a larger role in their defensive scheme.

• Trey Hendrickson was Cincinnati’s premier pass rusher, consistently ranking among the team’s leaders in sacks each season during his tenure.
• Boye Mafe recorded double-digit sacks across two years, signaling a steady upward trajectory in his young career.
• The Bengals’ defensive strategy has historically relied on pressure from the edge, making Mafe’s integration into the lineup a critical development.

While the move marks a major transition for the Bengals' front seven, the team’s hope is that Mafe’s blend of speed, power, and technique will help minimize the impact of Hendrickson’s departure. The defensive staff is expected to provide Mafe with more opportunities to attack the quarterback, positioning him as a key figure in Cincinnati’s efforts to remain competitive in the AFC.

Mafe’s recent performance has generated optimism among Bengals fans and coaches alike. In both 2023 and 2024, his sack totals placed him among the league’s most productive young edge defenders. Now, with a larger platform and higher expectations, the spotlight is firmly on Mafe to become the Bengals’ next defensive cornerstone.

As the season approaches, Cincinnati’s ability to integrate Mafe effectively could prove decisive in their playoff ambitions and help shape the identity of their post-Hendrickson defense.