What may have gotten lost this past season amid contract holdouts in camp and an injury-shortened season is that Hendrickson is an elite pass rusher. Across the past three seasons, he ranks in the top five at his position in PFF pass-rush grade on true pass sets (92.5) and is one of just six edge rushers with a pass-rush win rate above 20%. Most importantly, he turns that dominance into sack production, having racked up the third-most sacks (39.0) in the NFL since the start of 2023, despite missing 10 games this season.
As highlighted in our look at the best landing spots for the 10 highest-graded defensive free agents, Hendrickson will be highly sought after on the open market. The Bears profile as a strong next destination, as do the Colts, with whom he would reunite with former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
The Colts’ inability to generate consistent pressure in 2025 left the defense in a poor spot for much of the season. They finished the regular season ranked just 23rd in pressure rate (34.1%) and 21st in PFF pass-rush grade (68.0). Adding Hendrickson to the mix would help to solidify the defensive front with proven production.
One doesn’t have to look too hard to see Hendrickson’s connection with members of the Colts defensive coaching staff, as both current Indianapolis veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and new defensive line coach Marion Hobby were his former coaches with the Bengals respectively.
After a contentious past offseason with the Bengals because of a contract negotiations impasse, it’s worth noting that Hendrickson was limited with a hip/pelvis injury last season. The 31-year-old veteran pass rusher was limited to 16 tackles (11 solo), 4.0 sacks, 23 QB pressures, a forced fumble, and a pass defensed during 7 starts.
Per PFF, Hendrickson still earned a +82.9 overall grade, which was the 13th highest among 115 total qualifying edge defenders. Specifically, he had a +90.0 pass rushing grade, which was the 6th best overall at his position.
That being said, he’s just a year removed from being an NFL First-Team All-Pro under Anarumo, where he recorded a league-leading 17.5 total sacks—which was a consecutive campaign of Hendrickson recording 17.5 sacks.
The Colts have some lingering question marks at defensive end opposite rising 3rd-year pro Laiatu Latu, as the trio of Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis are all set to become free agents at the position.
Outside of Latu last season, who had 8.5 total sacks, no other Colts defender had more than 4.0 total sacks individually. The Colts ranked 15th in total sacks with 39 total sacks as a unit defensively. Per ESPN Analytics, the Colts ranked 30th in pass rush win rate at 29%. Beyond Latu, DeForest Buckner (when healthy), and perhaps Ade Adebawore somewhat rotationally, there wasn’t much consistent pressure for the Colts defensively.
Rookie 2nd rounder JT Tuimoloau was limited to 17 tackles and 0 sacks in 13 starts during his debut season.
Armed with a projected $35.6 million of available team salary cap space, the Colts would have to get creative and have some cap casualties elsewhere, if they’re hoping to sign Hendrickson—along with retaining the pair of presumed priority free agent re-signings: quarterback Daniel Jones and wideout Alec Pierce.
However, Hendrickson isn’t out of the realm of possibility, and Hobby’s recent arrival only figures to help their ever-improving odds.
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