{"id":746522,"date":"2026-02-12T07:00:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T07:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/746522\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T07:00:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T07:00:34","slug":"colts-hire-new-defensive-leader-pointing-toward-trey-hendrickson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/746522\/","title":{"rendered":"Colts Hire New Defensive Leader, Pointing Toward Trey Hendrickson"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6j\">The<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/colts\/onsi\/news\/colts-match-seahawks-longshot-super-bowl-odds-last-year\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Indianapolis Colts <\/a>have signed a new leader for the defensive line after Charlie Partridge left for Notre Dame. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6m\">University of Arkansas defensive line coach, Marion Hobby. <\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Colts?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">#Colts<\/a> are expected to hire Arkansas\u2019 Marion Hobby as defensive line coach, sources tell <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CBSSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@CBSSports<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>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 \u201824. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zVE1LdAsgb\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/zVE1LdAsgb<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mzenitz\/status\/2021777153910784442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">February 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6s\">As Matt Zenith at CBS Sports points out, Hobby has plenty of tires to Lou Anarumo, so this hiring makes a lot of sense. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6v\">Since Anarumo was hired last year, he&#8217;s had a massive influence on which defensive players the Colts acquired in the draft and free agency. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6y\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.colts.com\/team\/players-roster\/charvarius-ward\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Charvarius Ward<\/a> was signed to a three-year, $54 million deal after showcasing fantastic abilities throughout his career with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"71\">As for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.colts.com\/team\/players-roster\/justin-walley\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Walley<\/a>, the Colts shocked by taking him in the third round out of the University of Minnesota. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"74\">Despite this, Walley looked excellent during training camp, elevating to run with the first team defense. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"77\">However, his encouraging potential was derailed. Justin Walley suffered a torn ACL in a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens, ending his year before it could start. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01kh82n6fh79w3af1a7g.jpg\" alt=\"Colts defensive line coach Marion Hobby (orange shirt) coaches his players during training camp.\" title=\"Colts defensive line coach Marion Hobby (orange shirt) coaches his players during training camp.\" width=\"6603\" height=\"3714\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"7h\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Cincinnati Bengals defensive line coach Marion Hobby works with the defensive line at the Bengals NFL practice in Cincinnati on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. | Albert Cesare\/The Enquirer \/ USA TODAY NETWORK<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7l\">With Hobby, the Colts will get a vastly experienced coach with an impressive resume. Below is a list from the Razorbacks&#8217; website that showcases what he brings to Indianapolis. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7o\">-1995 UT Martin \u2013 Strength &amp; Conditioning Coach<br \/>-1996-97 Louisiana-Lafayette \u2013 Defensive Tackles\/S&amp;C Coach<br \/>-1998 Tennessee \u2013 Assistant Strength &amp; Conditioning Coach<br \/>-1999-2004 Ole Miss \u2013 Defensive Line<br \/>-2005 Clemson \u2013 Defensive Ends<br \/>-2006-07 New Orleans Saints \u2013 Defensive Ends<br \/>-2008-10 Duke \u2013 Defensive Coordinator\/Defensive Line<br \/>-2011-16 Clemson \u2013 Co-Defensive Coordinator\/Defensive Ends<br \/>-2017-18 Jacksonville Jaguars \u2013 Defensive Line<br \/>-2019-20 Miami Dolphins \u2013 Defensive Line<br \/>-2021-24 Cincinnati Bengals \u2013 Defensive Line<br \/>-2025 Tennessee \u2013 Defensive Analyst<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7r\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/colts\/newsletter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sign Up For the Colts Daily Digest &#8211; OnSI\u2019s Indianapolis Colts Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7u\">Hobby&#8217;s wealth of knowledge, ties to Anarumo, and talent as a coach could be just what this Colts defensive line needs that Partridge lacked. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7x\">Hobby is a nice addition to a defensive line that lacked consistency to get after the quarterback. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-16\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"80\">Outside of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.colts.com\/team\/players-roster\/laiatu-latu\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Laiatu Latu<\/a>, who led the team with 8.5 sacks, it seemed like the trenches were underwhelming against passing attacks. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"83\">An immediate upgrade would be Trey Hendrickson. The four-time Pro Bowler is a free agent, and has direct ties to Hobby. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01kh840drseaban57mcd.jpg\" alt=\"Defensive end Trey Hendrickson (black uniform) stands on the sideline.\" title=\"Defensive end Trey Hendrickson (black uniform) stands on the sideline.\" width=\"3816\" height=\"2146\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"8d\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) watches a replay as the Detroit Lions celebrate a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. The Bengals continued a losing streak, falling 37-24 to the Lions. | Sam Greene\/The Enquirer \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-19\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8h\">Hobby was Hendrickson&#8217;s defense line coach with Anarumo&#8217;s staff from 2021 to 2024. These years just so happen to be when Hendrickson earned those Pro Bowls and also a First-Team All-Pro nomination. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-20\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8k\">In my opinion, Hobby&#8217;s hiring feels like the Colts signing Hendrickson is becoming more of a reality. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-21\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8n\">It will be interesting how Hobby adjusts to the NFL again. The Colts will need to add more on the defensive line through the draft and potentially free agency. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8q\">However, the immediate way to help Hobby the most is to acquire Hendrickson in a blockbuster move. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-23\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8t\">This gives Hobby one of the best ends in the league to hit the ground running with Indianapolis. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-24\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8w\">The Colts must hit this offseason on the bullseye, as everything is on the line for Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-25\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8z\">With this in mind, it wouldn&#8217;t be surprising to see Hendrickson in a Colts uniform, reuniting him with Anarumo and Hobby. <\/p>\n<p>Recommended Articles <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Indianapolis Colts have signed a new leader for the defensive line after Charlie Partridge left for Notre&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":746523,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2059],"tags":[2005,7,2004,392,2381,6],"class_list":{"0":"post-746522","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-indianapolis-colts","8":"tag-colts","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-indianapolis","11":"tag-indianapolis-colts","12":"tag-indianapoliscolts","13":"tag-nfl"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116056375626106670","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/746522","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=746522"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/746522\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/746523"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=746522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=746522"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=746522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}