According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, the Indianapolis Colts ‘shouldn’t be ruled out’ regarding ultimately landing prized Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro free agent defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
Per Holder’s ESPN colleague, Adam Schefter, no NFL team has been able so far to meet Hendrickson’s hefty contract demands of a projected $30 to $4o million per year, but all it takes is one bold team. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reported earlier on Tuesday that there’s a $10M annual gap between Hendrickson and his
closest suitors right now in ongoing contract negotiations.
Hendrickson is reportedly expected to make a formal decision tomorrow among interested teams (via The Athletic’s Dianna Russini). However, with Las Vegas Raiders fellow All-Pro edge Maxx Crosby failing his physical with the Baltimore Ravens—and Baltimore shockingly “backing out,” it’s been speculated that the latter could be a late entrant into the ongoing Hendrickson free agency sweepstakes.
As for the Colts, SI.com’s Albert Breer reported earlier in the week that Indianapolis made a trade offer to the Bengals for Hendrickson last summer. Obviously, the two sides were unable to successfully strike a deal, but there’s already great familiarity between Colts veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and Hendrickson, as the pairing were both in Cincinnati from 2021-24.
When coached by Anarumo defensively, Hendrickson had his best career seasons to-date, recording a whopping 35.0 combined total sacks from 2023-24—capped off by NFL First-Team All-Pro honors in 2024 at his position.
While the 31-year-old was limited to just 7 starts with the Bengals in 2025 by a lingering hip/pelvis injury, he did still manage to record 4.0 sacks, 23 QB pressures, and a forced fumble. Per PFF, he still had a +90.0 pass rushing grade in limited action this past season—which was 6th highest among all qualifying edge defenders.
Despite battling through lingering injuries last year, Hendrickson’s ‘pass rushing peripherals check out,’ and he is only a year removed from being one of the best pass rushers in all of football—when paired with Anarumo.
A reunion between the two individuals in Indianapolis makes some real logical sense.
With former 1st round starting defensive end Kwity Paye signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Colts currently have a hole at starting defensive end opposite Laiatu Latu—as recent veteran addition Arden Key, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, seems ideally more like a rotational edge off the bench.
It’s just a matter of whether the currently salary cap strapped Colts, can make enough maneuvers to free up ample wiggle room for Hendrickson, but he clearly checks off a lot of outstanding buckets right now.
