Colts Get Trey Hendrickson Lifeline

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson still in play for the Indianapolis Colts?

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) celebrates as the Steelers prepare to punt in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. The Bengals won 19-17 to finish the regular season at 9-8. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Bengals have reportedly allowed superstar edge rusher and All-Pro Trey Hendrickson to seek a trade.

The Bengals have taken the rare step of granting All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade. “It’s been an honor and privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years,” said Hendrickson, the NFL’s sack leader. “I love this city and organization. I appreciate… pic.twitter.com/7P7Hbe2Y9e

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2025

The Indianapolis Colts must look into this given the 2024 sack leader's ties to Lou Anarumo. With the notion that Colts end Dayo Odeyingbo will cost too much to retain in free agency, this is a massive upgrade that has the potential to change Indy's defense immediately.

Hendrickson has a phenomenal 35 sacks over the last two years and four straight Pro Bowls (2021-2024). While the package to trade for Hendrickson will be immense, it's worth it to put the 2024 All-Pro on the defensive front.

What happens next for the Colts? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

Giving Anarumo a trench lineup of DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Laiatu Latu, Kwity Paye, and Trey Hendrickson would put many offenses in a serious bind for four quarters. Hendrickson is also a QB-pressure machine with 83 (Pro Football Focus). This metric led all NFL defensive ends.

This trade is one that general manager Chris Ballard needs to get behind and seriously consider executing. It's likely the Bengals ask for Indy's 14th overall pick in 2025's draft and more, but to land Hendrickson upgrades the defense immensely.

Expect the Colts to inquire and look further into a possible deal, as this trade makes too much sense to reunite Hendrickson with Anarumo for 2025 in the Circle City.

Recommended Articles

---

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.