The Indianapolis Colts have plenty to figure out with their own players, including pending free agents Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce.
But once they're ready to dip into the rest of the free agent pool, there's one player who could be exactly the guy the Colts need: Trey Hendrickson.
The pass rusher from the Cincinnati Bengals was rumored for much of last season as a candidate to be traded to the Colts.
Now, the Colts don't even have to trade for Hendrickson. They can just sign him.
Hendrickson struggled a bit in 2025 after his rocky offseason, but in both 2023 and 2024, he had 17.5 sacks.
He's a four-time Pro Bowler and remains one of the best defensive disruptors in football.
ESPN's Matt Bowen ranks him as his No. 1 free agent, and he lists the Colts as the best fit for Hendrickson.
"Colts general manager Chris Ballard could make a splash move in landing the top free agent on our board," Bowen writes. "And Hendrickson would reunite with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, his former coach in Cincinnati, to boost the pass rush opposite Laiatu Latu. In seven games last season, Hendrickson had four sacks -- but his 17.5 sacks in 2024 ranked No. 1 in the league. The Colts finished with 39 sacks last season, tied for 15th in the NFL. Adding to the defensive front should be a priority for win-now Indianapolis."
Bowen goes on to list the Chicago Bears as another possibility for Hendrickson.
The Colts would gladly hold Chicago off and get their guy, though. Indy could use another playmaker on defense, and Hendrickson fits the bill.
He'll be sought after by a lot of teams, and Hendrickson's final destination could come down to just how much money he's seeking, because at a certain price point, some teams could get priced out.
The Colts will do their best to make sure that doesn't happen to them so they can get a deal done with a star edge rusher.
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