New drama between Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals could spark new life for the Colts' chances of trading for 2024 sack leader

The Indianapolis Colts have been linked to Trey Hendrickson ever since the organization publicly granted his trade request from the Cincinnati Bengals.  The Colts' need for an edge rusher played a factor, but the team hiring Hendrickson's former defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo, seems to be the main reason. Despite the Colts' interest, a trade never formalized […]

Destin Adams NFL News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
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 Indianapolis Colts have been linked to Trey Hendrickson ever since the organization publicly granted his trade request from the Cincinnati Bengals.  

The Colts' need for an edge rusher played a factor, but the team hiring Hendrickson's former defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo, seems to be the main reason. Despite the Colts' interest, a trade never formalized as the Bengals seem reluctant to trade the NFL's 2024 sack leader. 

The situation between Hendrickson and the Bengals might be nearing a boiling point, though, and he weighed in on the recent drama unfolding on The Pat McAfee Show. 


Do the Colts have a better chance of trading for Trey Hendrickson due to the ongoing drama between him and the Bengals?

Just when you thought this situation was over, more drama arrives, and there seems to be new life to the Hendrickson to Colts trade possibilities. Bengals exec Katie Blackburn recently commented on the ongoing situation between the team and Hendrickson. It seems safe to say her answer was controversial. 

"He should be happy at certain rates that maybe he doesn't think he'd be happy at. I think some of it is on him to be happy at some point, and if he's not that's what holds it up sometimes…

We have all the respect in the world for him. He's been a great player. 

We're happy to have him. And so maybe we'll find a way to get something to work.?"

Katie Blackburn to Ben Baby of ESPN

"He should be happy" isn't something I'd suggest putting out in a public statement about a star player on your roster during ongoing contract negotiations following a public trade request. Hearing that type of statement released by a high-up team exec was bound to get a response from Hendrickson, and they would be foolish if they expected anything less. 

On the Colts front, I don't think anything has really changed. They are clearly interested, and that has been reported by multiple different people this offseason, including by myself. But despite their interest, the Colts and other teams across the NFL don't believe the Bengals are motivated to grant Hendrickson's trade request. I understand he's a great player, and trading him away below his worth would hurt an already questionable defense. But after seeing a statement like that really only leaves two doors for the Bengals to consider. Either you grant the trade request or pay the man, and if they choose the first, I would expect the Colts to be one of the most interested teams.