A massive free agency domino just fell, and it could lead to the Colts landing one of their top offseason targets
The Colts seem one step closer to being able to sign a clear top target in free agency.
Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has been linked to the Indianapolis Colts so much over the past year and a half that some may already view him as a member of the horseshoe.
Ever since a potential trade has been rumored, the Colts have been mentioned as a top team to watch in terms of acquiring the 2024 sack leader. The Bengals have played hardball in negotiations, and as a result, nothing has ever come together despite the Colts’ best efforts.
Now it seems that deterrent is gone, though, with the news that the Bengals will not franchise-tag Hendrickson this offseason, setting him up to hit unrestricted free agency finally.
The Bengals will not franchise tag edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, opening the door for the Colts to pursue him in free agency
I never knew if the day would ever come when the Bengals looked in the mirror and realized the time had come to stop fighting with Hendrickson and let him walk into free agency. But that seems to be the reality ahead now that the team officially plans not to use the franchise tag on the star pass rusher.
Hendrickson played his first four years with the Bengals with Lou Anarumo as his defensive coordinator. Now that he holds the same role with the Colts, it’s easy to see why so many people believe the two could reunite in Indianapolis. The Colts made real attempts to trade for him over the past year, and now that he is set to become a free agent, I would expect them to have serious interest in signing him.
A big question the Colts and any interested team will have to answer is how serious the hip injury that kept him out for most of 2025 is and whether it will hinder his ability to play a key role in 2026 for his new team. If he’s in a good place with his recovery, though, I would expect his market to be pretty robust.
Trey Hendrickson’s stats with Lou Anarumo as his defensive coordinator on the Bengals
- 2021: 14 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 34 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles
- 2022: 8 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 32 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles
- 2023: 17.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 43 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles
- 2024: 17.5 sacks (led the NFL), 19 tackles for loss, 46 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles
The Colts have to upgrade their pass rush this offseason, and they have no choice but to make significant additions to their edge room. The team has only two notable members from last year’s roster still in the room: Laiatu Latu and JT Tuimoloau. It is also not expected to retain multiple key free agents in the room, such as Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam.
Hendrickson would become the team’s top pass rusher instantly and would be crucial to helping Latu take the jump the Colts are hoping to see. Teams wouldn’t be able to send anywhere near as much attention his way, and on pass downs, the Colts would be able to have Hendrickson, Latu, and Deforest Buckner ready to make the opposing quarterback’s life miserable.
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