Trey Hendrickson‘s time with the Cincinnati Bengals has most likely come to an end after the EDGE rusher was placed on injured reserve following surgery and will not return this season.
Hendrickson sat out of the team’s training camp after not getting the high average annual value contract he was expecting, as he was set to make $16 million. Cincy and the defender were unable to agree on a long-term extension, but did agree on a significant pay bump for the 2025 NFL season, in which Hendrickson would make $30 million.
While it was the money he was asking for, it strained the relationship along the way and likely closed the door for a return. In his time with the AFC North team, he logged 61 sacks and 171 tackles.
The four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro is set to become a free agent and will have many teams calling his way.
Landing Spot For Trey Hendrickson
GettyTrey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals
Like any player in the NFL, Trey Hendrickson will look at which team could offer him the most money and the best opportunity to win a championship.
While there are a few teams that can meet those requirements, one NFL analyst names a recent surprise team that would be the best fit for the defender.
CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan names the Indianapolis Colts as a potential landing spot for the soon-to-be free agent pass rusher.
“The Colts are still grappling with the loss of Daniel Jones (Achilles) for the season, so it may be difficult to envision an offseason addition. However, this is a roster that is ready to compete now. While they have to address [the situation] quarterback in some capacity (Jones himself is set to be a free agent), they could stand to add a pass rusher as well,” Sullivan wrote.
“Entering Week 15, Indy ranks 23rd in the NFL in pressure rate (33.5%) and 18th in sack rate (6.7%). The Colts are currently projected to have about $47.5 million in available cap space this offseason, and some of those funds could be utilized toward bringing in Hendrickson.”
The Colts have been going through a rough time over the past month, losing four of their last five games and losing their starting quarterback. However, things have looked promising for them early on, and they could build on their success this season.
Indy has recorded 35 sacks this season, which is in the top 10, but it still could look for more production on the edge. Second-year player Laiatu Latu currently has the most sacks on the team with 5.5 and could use some help on the opposite side.
Hendrickson just turned 31 years old at the beginning of December, which may deter some teams from reaching out to the defender, but he has shown that he will compete for the next few years.
Reuniting With A Familiar Face
GettyTrey Hendrickson could reunite with a familiar face in Indianapolis
The 2025 season has not been one of Trey Hendrickson’s best. In 7 games for the Bengals this season, he has logged 4 sacks, which would be his lowest since the 2019 season, when he was on the New Orleans Saints, where he recorded 4.5 sacks.
If the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year runner-up were to find his way to the Indianapolis Colts, he would reunite with Lou Anarumo, who was the defensive coordinator for the Bengals from 2019 to 2024.
Hendrickson has recorded his worst season (also due to injuries) without Anarumo as his DC, calling the plays. If the pair were to reunite, Anarumo could bring out the four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher that Hendrickson has shown before.
With the possibility that Bengals head coach Zac Taylor could be on his way out, too, signing with the Bengals will give the defender some comfort in a scheme he knows, instead of trying to adapt to his third DC in three years.
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