Sacking QBs has always been passion for Bengals' Trey Hendrickson

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Trey Hendrickson was once a touchdown-catching tight end in high school, a big-bodied target who was tough to take down.

Demolishing quarterbacks, though, just always felt better than spiking footballs.

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You see, pass rushing is a passion for the Cincinnati Bengals defensive end. And opposing offenses are the unfortunate recipients of his game-wrecking fervor.

"I did love playing tight end, but there's nothing like sacking the quarterback," Hendrickson said. "Everybody will say touchdowns are the greatest thing. But I've scored touchdowns and I've sacked quarterbacks.

"There's nothing close to a sack."

Hendrickson would certainly know. His 27 1/2 sacks over the last two regular seasons rank him third in the NFL in that stretch, behind only Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt (37 1/2) and Cleveland's Myles Garrett (28). That includes 14 for Hendrickson this season, his first in Cincinnati after four in New Orleans.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, right, during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

"In the secondary, we always joke about how Trey needs to let us get some interceptions," safety Jessie Bates III said with a laugh. "He was on a hot streak. I think he had like 10 games straight with a sack, so I know how much this means to Trey. He’s a hell of a player and an even better person."

Bates was close: Hendrickson actually had nine straight games with a sack. But if you count half-sacks, he was in on taking down the quarterback in