Colts linked to a top NFL free agent ahead of the offseason, who would be the perfect player to fill the team’s biggest needs.
The Indianpolis Colts defense needs to make needed additions this offseason if they’re going to end their five-year playoff drought.
The team’s edge rush room should be at the top of the list for a big swing. The team currently has only two contributors from last year’s team under contract, and the only starter is Laiatu Latu.
ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler recently shared some interesting information on one of the league’s top upcoming free agents, Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals. He had some insights on how likely it is that he hits the market, along with some potential interested teams, one of which is the Colts.
Jeremy Fowler believes the Colts will look into signing Trey Hendrickson if he hits free agency
“The Bengals are always good for a few surprises, but a franchise tag for defensive end Trey Hendrickson would be a mild surprise to me. The relationship has essentially run its course, and the tag will be well above $30 million. Perhaps they could swing a sign-and-trade, but losing him to free agency could equate to a third-round compensatory pick in return if Cincinnati plays it right. The top free agent rusher will have plenty of suitors. Several teams in need of a pass rusher should look into him, including the Cowboys, Buccaneers and Colts.” – ESPN’s NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler.
The Colts have been linked to Hendrickson ever since last offseason. Indianapolis considered a trade for the 2024 sack leader, but the Bengals were never serious about trading the All-Pro. Now, a year later, Hendrickson is in a similar spot with no long-term contract and is still waiting for one to come together with the Bengals or someone else.
If he actually hits the market, I believe the Colts will hold serious interest in reuniting Hendrickson with Lou Anarumo, his former defensive coordinator. As long as he stays healthy, he has shown he is still a dominant force off the edge and could provide the Colts with exactly what their defense needs to take the next step.
He likely won’t come cheap, though, so for the Colts to be a serious threat to sign him, they’d need to create more cap sapce than what is currently on the books.
They could do this by moving on from Michael Pittman Jr., or if Charvarius Ward were to retire, as some believe he could. The first step will be waiting to see if the Bengals actually let Hendrickson test the market this time around.
If they choose to tag him and continue the never-ending cycle of holding him hostage in Cincy, the Colts would likely need to pivot elsewhere for their addition to their edge rusher room.
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