The Indianapolis Colts would have seemingly been a natural fit for edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, as he had some great years when Indy defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was his DC with the Cincinnati Bengals. That isn't going to work out as the player is headed to the Baltimore Ravens, but how close Indy came in signing him is maddening.
According to ESPN's Colts reporter Stephen Holder, Indy was in on the bidding for Hendrickson, even offering as much as $25 million a season. In other words, while it may appear that general manager Chris Ballard isn't trying to do much other than bring back Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, that isn't the case.
Ballard wanted Hendrickson, and maybe Hendrickson even wanted to come to Indianapolis and play for his old defensive coordinator, but money speaks louder than emotions many times in the business of the NFL. At 31 years old, the edge rusher doesn't have much longer to make a ton of money.
Indianapolis Colts were in the running to sign Trey Hendrickson until the end
The Ravens offered more, and they could do so after backing out of a trade that would have given Maxx Crosby to them from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for two first-round picks. In the end, the Ravens thought Crosby's surgically repaired meniscus was going to be a long-term problem, signed Hendrickson for what they would have paid Crosby, and didn't have to give up draft picks.
Indianapolis won't be in the running for Crosby, however. While Ballard was trying to create cap room to sign Hendrickson, the team would have to trade for Crosby, and the Raiders want those two high-end picks. The Colts gave those to the New York Jets in return for Sauce Gardner at the trade deadline this past season.
Is missing out on Trey Hendrickson a swing and a miss? Maybe. The Ravens signed him for four years, which means he will be almost 36 by the time the deal is done. He might not still be playing at a high level by then. The Colts might have dodged the proverbial rock by not giving Hendrickson everything he wanted.
He might be great in 2026 and possibly 2027, but the team would likely have been tied to him for more years than his value is worth. What isn't yet known is whether Chris Ballard was offering $25 million but fewer seasons than the Ravens. If he was, Ballard made the correct move, and one that saved the Indianapolis Colts in the long run.