It was all going better than even the most ardent Indianapolis Colts fan could have imagined. Starting the season 8-2, Jonathan Taylor looked like a legitimate MVP candidate, Daniel Jones looked like the franchise quarterback they’d been searching for since Andrew Luck, and the team was firing on all cylinders. However, that didn’t remain the case.
Maybe the Indianapolis Colts Are Just 1 Piece Away
Then, a fractured fibula turned into a torn Achilles tendon for their quarterback, spelling doom for the franchise, and the team disintegrated over the second half of the season. As a result, they failed to make the playoffs and found themselves at a crossroads in the offseason. It remains to be seen how they can salvage the situation, but one blockbuster move could get them back on the right track.
The excitement in Indy was palpable. With Jones resurrecting his career and the league’s best offense, it seemed like the Colts could take advantage of a wide-open AFC, especially with the struggles of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The organization certainly thought so, with head coach Shane Steichen strongly believing in his roster. As a result, they made a blockbuster trade at the deadline to bolster their defense, shipping away two first-round picks to bring in Sauce Gardner.
It was an obvious win-now move, as the franchise seemed to think this year was its best chance. However, disaster struck almost immediately afterwards, leaving them with injuries that derailed them completely.
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Now, the team’s future is in serious jeopardy, with the quarterback position still up in the air. However, within the organization, the mindset might be slightly different. NFL insider Cameron Wolfe explained the win-now mentality that could help the Colts add a substantial piece in free agency.
Speaking on the developing situation between Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals, Wolfe made it clear that a resolution between the two sides seemed unlikely. With the relationship already souring, and a complicated salary cap situation for the Bengals, there was a possibility that the league leader in sacks in 2024 could be looking for a new home.
“I’m told that if this deal does end up happening, free agency-wise, keep an eye on the Indianapolis Colts. This is a team that wants to be aggressive. They made the big splash move for Sauce Gardner midseason.” But the connection between the four-time Pro Bowler and Indianapolis goes beyond just the mindset.
“Lou Anarumo has a lot of familiarity with Hendrickson; they just hired a D-line coach named Marion Hobby who coached Trey Hendrickson for four years in Cincinnati. When they were all together, Lou, Marion, and Trey Hendrickson had 57 sacks in four seasons, four Pro Bowl seasons.”
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With the recipe already in place, this could look like a match made in heaven. And with a stifling defense featuring a pair of elite talents in the secondary and a game-wrecking player like Hendrickson in the weeds, it could give the offense some leeway, particularly if Jones returns while recovering from his Achilles injury.
As a result, Wolfe ended his spiel by reiterating, “They’re going to be aggressive in trying to get him if he does reach the market, or even if it’s a sign and trade, it could be a big splash move for the Indianapolis Colts.”
There is a lot of time between now and the slew of moves that will decide how the rosters shake out, but it seems clear that the Colts don’t view their early-season success in 2025 as a fluke.
Instead, they might be willing to double down in a bid to remain near the top of the conference.
