Colts predicted to make $78 million offseason splash to add more defensive firepower

The Indianapolis Colts' 2025 season looked very promising after an 8-2 start, but a second-half collapse has the Colts missing the playoffs for the fifth-straight year.

The beginning of the end was quarterback Daniel Jones' fibula injury, which clearly left him playing at less than 100%. Jones then suffered a torn Achilles a few weeks later, which amounted to the death blow for Indy's season.

But the defense certainly didn't do Indianapolis any favors over its current six-game losing streak, with the unit giving up 28 points per game in that span.

In order to beef up the defense in 2026, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox predicts the Colts will sign Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a three-year, $78 million deal in free agency this coming offseason.

If Hendrickson does hit the open market, the Indianapolis Colts would provide him with a very logical landing spot. Indy will be hoping to reenter the playoff picture after this season's collapse. The Colts could also use an edge-rusher of Hendrickson's caliber after notching a good-not-great 39 sacks through 16 games.

Indianapolis also happens to employ former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in the same position. Assuming Anarumo is back next season—he's generated some head-coaching buzz this year—reuniting him with Hendrickson would make a ton of sense.

Prediction: Hendrickson signs a three-year, $78 million deal with the Colts

Hendrickson is coming off a down season that was plagued by injury, but the expectation is he'll be fully healthy by the time free agency rolls around.

The biggest concern with Hendrickson is the fact that he's 31 years old and could begin to decline. That's why Knox's contract projection isn't top-of-the-market, which also opens the door for Hendrickson to be a massive bargain.

A return to Cincinnati feels unlikely given the years-long contract dispute between the two sides that has yet to end favorably for Hendrickson, who has become disgruntled with the Bengals as a result.

But the Bengals don't have to let him walk in free agency for nothing, as Cincinnati can opt to use the franchise tag on Hendrickson, which would allow them to trade him and grab some more draft capital.

That would create a significant hurdle for the Colts, who might not be keen on moving any more draft picks after the Sauce Gardner trade at the deadline.

If Hendrickson does hit the open market, the Colts are definitely a logical landing spot for him, as Indianapolis could use more firepower on defense.

The Colts enter Week 18 with 39 sacks, tied for the 14th-most in the NFL. That's not bad, but there is obviously a ton of room for improvement.

The connection with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is significant, although it remains to be seen if Anarumo, who was Hendrickson's defensive coordinator with the Bengals, is even still coaching Indianapolis' defense in 2026, as he's slated to garner looks as a head coach.

Having Anarumo around would help the Colts if they pursue Hendrickson, but his presence won't be the end-all, be-all for Indianapolis adding the elite edge rusher this coming offseason.

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