The Indianapolis Colts could spring a surprising trade. Sure, as rumored, perhaps Indy acquires edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. If the team does, great. If they don't, even better.
The truth is that while Indy has a good overall roster, the Colts don't really need an edge rusher as great as Hendrickson might be. Also, while Hendrickson has produced back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons, it would somehow feel like Indianapolis was cursed by trading for him.
He isn't old, but he is past 30 years old, so there is a real question about how much longer he can continue to produce at such a high level. Maybe a year. Maybe two. Is that worth presumably Indianapolis trading a first-round choice to Cincinnati? Not really.
Indianapolis Colts need to make a move but not for Trey Hendrickson
The Colts aren't that close to competing for a Super Bowl, and adding Hendrickson should be done by a team that might have a false sense of security by getting him. Few teams have a real chance to win a championship in 2025, and Indy isn't one of them.
Quarterback play is the biggest issue. Neither Anthony Richardson nor Daniel Jones is probably good enough to win a Super Bowl at this point. They might not even be good enough to get the team to the playoffs, while the rest of the roster is likely good enough for that. This is where the important part comes in.
Richardson and Jones are battling for QB1 duties, and the team is shopping for an edge rusher. That is illogical. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks have three quarterbacks and only need one. Forget about Sam Darnold. He is going to start in Seattle. Rookie Jalen Milroe is the long-term hope to become QB1.
It is Drew Lock who is currently QB2 and who has little hope of ever being the long-term starter with the Seahawks. He is stuck between the player Seattle hopes will make them good in 2025 and the player Seattle hopes will make them good in 2027 and well beyond.
The truth is that Lock is not a bad quarterback, though. In limited starts with the Seahawks in 2023, he won a game and lost one, but he proved to have explosive ability throughout, as well as a higher football IQ than Anthony Richardson has. In 2024, Lock started five games for the New York Giants, and Colts fans got an up-close look at what he is capable of.
In Week 17, Lock was 17 of 23 for 309 yards and four touchdowns as the Giants beat the Colts 45-33. With a decent offensive line and good skill position players (which Indianapolis has), Lock could be a good quarterback, and better than Richardson or Jones for 2025.
Adding a Lock doesn't mean Jones would have to be released, either. Rookie Riley Leonard isn't good enough to land on anything but the practice squad. Lock would be the starter and likely one good enough to make Indy good this coming season. If he gets hurt, the Colts would have two experienced, but underwhelming, backups.
A good Drew Lock would be more valuable than a great Trey Hendrickson to the Indianapolis Colts. The team should try to make the move. Not for Hendrickson, but for Lock.