Indianapolis Colts: 3 free agent overpays Indy thankfully missed out on
By Mike Luciano
No. 2: Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals (4 years, $60 million)
Before this season, Hendrickson had just 6.5 sacks in three seasons and appeared to be on the verge of the Saints’ roster bubble. One year later, after compiling 13.5 sacks, Hendrickson ended up earning a huge contract with the notoriously cheap Cincinnati Bengals, who added him to replace Carl Lawson.
The Colts seemed like a natural fit, especially with all of the questions surrounding whoever will replace Justin Houston on the edge. However, when Ballard saw that contract, you can bet he got crossed off of Indianapolis’ list.
Trey Hendrickson would’ve been risky for the Colts
Hendrickson looks like a top-end pass rusher considering how well he played last season, but that is only one season of sustained quality production. Is that worth being shackled to an expensive four-year contract? 65 tackles apparently equates to $60 million these days?
Without 2020, Hendrickson would likely have been signing a one-year deal for barely over a few million in order to get a second chance to prove himself. Because of last year, Cincinnati paid him like one of the game’s best edge rushers. If he regresses to his old form, this could be an all-time bad move.