If the Indianapolis Colts are serious about taking the next step defensively in 2026, Trey Hendrickson might just be the game-changer they’ve been missing. According to Pro Football Focus, Indy is the top landing spot for the Bengals’ premier pass rusher-and on paper, it’s a fit that makes a ton of sense.
Let’s start with the player himself. Hendrickson’s 2025 season may have flown under the radar thanks to a camp holdout and injury issues, but don’t let that cloud the bigger picture: this guy is still one of the league’s elite edge rushers.
Over the past three seasons, he’s been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, ranking top five in PFF’s pass-rush grade on true pass sets (92.5). Only a handful of edge rushers can say they’ve posted a pass-rush win rate north of 20%, and Hendrickson is one of them.
More importantly, he turns pressures into production. Despite missing 10 games in 2025, he’s racked up 39 sacks since the start of 2023-third-most in the league over that span.
Even in a shortened season, Hendrickson made an impact. He still earned a strong 82.9 overall grade from PFF, 13th among 115 qualifying edge defenders.
His 90.0 pass-rushing grade? Sixth-best at the position.
That kind of efficiency doesn’t grow on trees, especially for a 31-year-old dealing with a nagging hip/pelvis injury. In seven starts, he still managed 4.0 sacks, 23 quarterback pressures, and a forced fumble.
That’s not just veteran savvy-that’s high-level disruption.
Now, let’s talk about the Colts, who could really use that kind of disruption off the edge. In 2025, Indy’s pass rush was inconsistent at best.
They finished 23rd in pressure rate (34.1%) and 21st in PFF pass-rush grade (68.0). Outside of standout rookie Laiatu Latu-who led the team with 8.5 sacks-no other Colts defender had more than four sacks.
That’s a problem when you're trying to close out games and get off the field on third down.
The team finished with 39 total sacks, putting them right in the middle of the pack at 15th overall. But when you dig deeper, the issues become clearer.
ESPN Analytics had them ranked 30th in pass rush win rate at just 29%. That’s a red flag, especially when you consider that beyond Latu, DeForest Buckner (when healthy), and a few flashes from Ade Adebawore, there wasn’t much consistent heat coming from Indy’s front.
Rookie second-rounder JT Tuimoloau struggled to make an impact in Year 1, finishing with just 17 tackles and no sacks across 13 starts. That’s not unusual for a young player adjusting to the pro game, but it underscores the need for a proven, high-level pass rusher to lead the charge-and that’s where Hendrickson fits in.
There’s also a strong familiarity factor at play here. Hendrickson would be reuniting with Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and defensive line coach Marion Hobby, both of whom coached him during his time in Cincinnati. That kind of continuity can’t be overstated-it means less time spent adjusting to scheme and terminology, and more time wreaking havoc in opposing backfields.
Financially, the Colts have some flexibility, but they’ll need to make smart moves. They’re projected to have around $35.6 million in cap space, but that money won’t stretch far if they’re planning to re-sign key free agents like quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce. If Hendrickson is truly in their sights, Indy might need to make some tough decisions elsewhere on the roster.
And with Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis all set to hit free agency, the defensive end room is already facing a potential overhaul. Hendrickson wouldn’t just be a splash signing-he’d be a cornerstone for a unit that badly needs one.
Let’s not forget: this is a guy who, just one year ago, was a First-Team All-Pro under Anarumo after leading the league with 17.5 sacks. That wasn’t a one-off either-he had 17.5 sacks the year before as well. When healthy and motivated, Hendrickson is one of the most dangerous edge rushers in football.
If the Colts are looking to take that next step from middle-of-the-pack to playoff-caliber defense, adding Hendrickson could be the move that gets them there. He brings production, familiarity, and leadership-three things this Indy front seven could use in abundance.