When coached by Anarumo defensively, Hendrickson had his best career seasons to-date, recording a whopping 35.0 combined total sacks from 2023-24—capped off by NFL First-Team All-Pro honors in 2024 at his position.
While the 31-year-old was limited to just 7 starts with the Bengals in 2025 by a lingering hip/pelvis injury, he did still manage to record 4.0 sacks, 23 QB pressures, and a forced fumble. Per PFF, he still had a +90.0 pass rushing grade in limited action this past season—which was 6th highest among all qualifying edge defenders.
Despite battling through lingering injuries last year, Hendrickson’s ‘pass rushing peripherals check out,’ and he is only a year removed from being one of the best pass rushers in all of football—when paired with Anarumo previously.
A reunion between the two individuals in Indianapolis makes some real logical sense right now.
With former 1st round starting defensive end Kwity Paye signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Colts currently have a hole at starting defensive end opposite Laiatu Latu—as recent veteran addition Arden Key, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, seems ideally more like a rotational edge off the bench.
It’s just a matter of whether the currently salary cap strapped Colts, can make enough extra maneuvers to free up ample wiggle room for Hendrickson, but he clearly checks off a lot of outstanding buckets.