Through seven games of 2025, the Indianapolis Colts have the best record in the NFL. This has been built on fantastic offensive efficiency and the defense forcing turnovers. The team has yet to take on a true offensive juggernaut, but the only one in the NFL might be Indy's.
Still, the defense could be better. Sure, injuries have hurt the cornerback group quite a bit, but the defensive line and edge rushers are not getting quick pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This is making what a banged-up secondary is trying to do much tougher.
An easy way to fix some of the issues is to acquire better players. One in particular used to work under Indianapolis defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo when Anarumo was with the Cincinnati Bengals. That player is edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who could potentially be available in a trade.
Indianapolis Colts might be able to acquire Trey Hendrickson for a very reasonable price
According to Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox, it might only take a conditional second-round draft pick to acquire Hendrickson. That seems like a steal, and one the Colts could easily do. But, as most Indy fans know, that is extremely unlikely for a few reasons.
The main one might be that general manager Chris Ballard abhors doing in-season trades. Instead, he wants to build through the draft and take a chance on a free agent or three. This isn't meant as any disrespect, either. Indy is partly good this season because of Ballard's philosophy.
Another obvious reason is that even without quarterback Joe Burrow, who is in the midst of missing three months with a toe injury, the Bengals have kind of hung around in the AFC playoff race. The team is 3-4 and pulled off a surprise victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7.
The Bengals might not want to trade Hendrickson if the team believes there is any chance they have to make the postseason. By that point, Burrow might be able to return.
Still, a second-round draft choice for a player who understands and has thrived in Lou Anarumo's system is a no-brainer move if the trade is anything close to reality. Trey Hendrickson immediately upgrades an iffy Indianapolis Colts defense. Coupled with Shane Steichen's offense, Indy would absolutely be a Super Bowl contender.
But maybe the Colts already are. No one expected the team to be 6-1 through seven games, so the team is increasingly exceeding expectations. Maybe this will be a Super Bowl season with or without Trey Hendrickson.