Let's go ahead and say what all Indianapolis Colts fans already know: The likelihood that general manager Chris Ballard will make a move ahead of the November 4th trade deadline is not great. In nine years, the GM has done one in-season deal, and it wasn't an overly important one.
Maybe this is the year, though. After all, Indy is 7-1, the best record in the NFL, and with a very real chance of making a deep run in the postseason. The offense is multi-faceted, productive, and highly efficient. What needs to be fixed is the defense.
Ballard has shown a penchant this past offseason and during this season to add former Cincinnati Bengals who played under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo when he held the same role in Cincy. His defenses weren't great as the DC, but some of the pieces were good.
Trey Hendrickson to the Indianapolis Colts makes too much sense
The issue so far is that a couple of those players who came to the Colts from the Bengals have already failed. Linebacker Joe Bachie started, did poorly, was released, and is now with the Tennessee Titans. Cornerback Mike Hilton was signed to the practice squad, played in two real games, and was injured.
But one player still with Cincinnati would seem like an obvious winner for Anarumo and Indianapolis. Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is in the final season of his contract with Cincy, preseason contract dispute, and probably won't re-sign with the Bengals.
Cincinnati has been rumored not to be interested in dealing Hendrickson, but if Cincinnati loses to the Chicago Bears in Week 9, Cincy might change its approach. The team would fall to 3-6, and is almost certainly not going to make the postseason, and likely will lose Hendrickson next offseason.
Hendrickson to the Indianapolis Colts simply makes too much sense. The player knows he can succeed in Anarumo's scheme as he had back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024, and Indy's defense has to improve its pass rush. Hendrickson instantly does that.
Moreover, an already very good Colts team, led heavily by its offense, would have an improved defense with an elite pass rusher. Trey Hendrickson takes Indianapolis from being a potential Super Bowl contender to a Super Bowl favorite.
Still, Chris Ballard likes to build through the draft and doesn't like in-season trades. The Colts probably aren't going to acquire Hendrickson, especially as it might take a first-round choice to do so.