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The Indianapolis Colts previously signed Mike Hilton, Josh Tuppu, and Germaine Pratt, all former Bengals who played for Lou Anarumo.
The Indianapolis Colts are about to undergo a busy offseason. Following a 2025 campaign that experienced extreme highs and lows, the general manager, Chris Ballard, will be looking solidify a roster worthy of extending the Colts beyond the regular season, as well as his own job security. Due to Ballard’s midseason blockbuster trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets, which cost the team their 2026 first-round pick, Ballard will have to explore other options for adding top-tier talent with greater assurance. Due to the lack of draft capital, the Colts could become a hot name to watch in free agency or in the trade market.
Along with Ballard, owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon announced that head coach Shane Steichen will be returning for another season with the team. With Indy being run by Ballard and Steichen being confirmed, the Colts also recently announced their new coaching hires for the 2026 season.
The hiring of new defensive line coach Marion Hobby supports one blockbuster move that Sports Illustrated believes could be in Indy’s future.
Marion Hobby’s History Could Signal Trey Hendrickson Trade To Indianapolis Colts
GettyCincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks in 2024 with 17.5.
“Among the most notable hires is Marion Hobby, who will take over as defensive line coach. Hobby brings extensive experience from collegiate and NFL stops — including time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars — offering a fresh voice to a defensive front that struggled at times last season.”
Sean Ackerman broke down the backgrounds of the Colts recent coaching hires in an article on Sports Illustrated. Within the piece, Ackerman drew attention to the significance of Hobby reuniting with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in Indy.
“Together, the two coached superstar pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who had the best years of his career in 2023 and 2024,” Ackerman wrote.
The #Colts are expected to hire Arkansas’ Marion Hobby as defensive line coach, sources tell @CBSSports.
Hobby, who has 10 years of NFL experience, worked with Indy DC Lou Anarumo in Cincinnati from 2021-24. Helped Trey Hendrickson post a total of 35 sacks in 2023 and ‘24.
Hobby worked with Anarumo and Hendrickson from 2021 to 2024. In that time span, Hendrickson was a four-time Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro in 2024. The Colts have been a potential suitor for Hendrickson via a trade since the trade deadline halfway through last season. These rumors stemmed mainly from his connection to Anarumo, and now that possibility is gaining even more steam.
“In my opinion, Hobby’s hiring feels like the Colts signing Hendrickson is becoming more of a reality,” Drake Wally of Sports Illustrated wrote.
“The Colts must hit this offseason on the bullseye, as everything is on the line for Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen. With this in mind, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Hendrickson in a Colts uniform.”
Cincinnati Bengals Could Attempt to Gain Compensation for Hendrickson
Trey Hendrickson is currently slated to become an unrestricted free agent. His relationship with the Bengals soured after the team refused to meet his terms on an extension. It has made it very unlikely that he would return.
If Hendrickson were to reach the open market, Spotrac has his value placed at an average salary of $25.4 million per year, with him projected to sign a two-year contract. The Colts currently have the 13th most cap space in the league, making Hendrickson’s contract possible.
The Bengals may also franchise tag Hendrickson in an attempt to gain capitol from his expected suitors. The franchise tag would cost them $30.2 million but would give them time to work out a trade with another franchise. This would force a new team to eat the cost of a new contract as well as send potential draft capital to the Bengals.
The Colts will have to decide how much they value Hendrickson’s addition if that were to happen. But with the urgency “never being higher”, Ballard and co may have to take a big swing to boost the team’s chances of success.
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