New prediction has the Colts giving fans what they want most by signing Bengals star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson in free agency
NFL analyst calls his shot by saying the Colts will sign Bengals star Trey Hendrickson in free agency.
The Indianapolis Colts changed up their typical offseason process last offseason. A team that has been passive in free agency went out and made multiple big signings, and fans are hoping to see them do the same this year.
Last year’s free agency haul included cornerback Charvarius Ward, safety Cam Bynum, and quarterback Daniel Jones. If the team is going to take a big swing in free agency this year, it seems pretty clear which position it should target.
The Colts are only bringing back two key players from last year’s roster in their edge rusher room. Starter Laiatu Latu and rookie JT Tuimoloau are under contract and will be with the team in 2026. An ESPN analyst decided to call his shot and predicted that the Colts will add a former NFL sack leader and All-Pro to the fold as well.
ESPN analyst Matt Bowen predicts that the Colts sign Trey Hendrickson this offseason
“Trey Hendrickson will sign with the Colts. General Manager Chris Ballard makes a splash move to sign the top free agent on the market. Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024, would immediately upgrade the Indianapolis pass rush.” – ESPN’s Matt Bowen
In a recent piece, a group of ESPN analysts shared some early predictions for the upcoming offseason and the 2026 NFL season. One of which included Matt Bowen predicting that the Colts would sign Cincinnati Bengals star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks in 2024 with 17.5, and has four double-digit sack seasons in his career. The best stretch of his career came in 2023 and 2024, when he recorded back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons, both of which featured Lou Anarumo as his defensive coordinator.
Anarumo, now with the Colts, has made it easy for people to link the two sides over the last year of his disgruntled contract disputes with the Bengals. And the Colts have had interest in adding him, but the Bengals have not been willing to loosen the grip they have on the former All-Pro. Will this offseason be different?
If he hits free agency, I’m sure the Colts will seriously consider adding him, but I don’t think it’s a slam dunk that he ends up in Indianapolis. General manager Chris Ballard shared that the team wants to get younger and faster on the def defensive side of the ball. Hendrickson would be an upgrade, but does he fit that mold? Not necessarily.
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