Which of the Indianapolis Colts players is considered their top contract extension candidate?
Which of the Indianapolis Colts players is considered their top contract extension candidate?
Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports recently made his extension candidate for each NFL team. When it came to the Colts, he selected left tackle Bernhard Raimann.
“Raimann has started all 29 of his games played over the last two seasons and has done so at a high level,” wrote Sullivan. “Last year, Raimann ranked as the eighth-highest graded offensive tackle in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics. So long as he continues that play in 2025, there’s no questioning that Raimann will land a sizable deal.”
Raimann is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2025 and will be a free agent in 2026. He is eligible to receive an extension at any time between now and when free agency opens next March.
For some context around what the current tackle market looks like, Tristan Wirfs will enter the 2025 season earning $28.12 million per year–the highest mark for anyone at this position. Lane Johnson is fifth, earning $25 million per year. Dan Moore is 10th at $20.5 million per season, and Mike Onwenu is 17th at $19 million per season, according to Sportrac.
Following a breakout year in 2023, Raimann built upon that performance in 2024. Out of 83 eligible tackles last season, Raimann ranked 24th in pass-blocking efficiency.
In the run game, along with ranking 12th in PFF’s run-blocking grade, running back Jonathan Taylor averaged nearly 5.0 yards per rush when running between Raimann and left guard Quenton Nelson.
“The progress that Berny has made from year one to now, it’s been pretty incredible,” GM Chris Ballard said at the NFL Combine.
This feels like one of those situations that the longer the Colts wait, the larger Raimann’s next contract will be as he continues to get better and better.