The Colts and left tackle Anthony Castonzo have agreed to terms on a new contract, the team announced. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports that it’s a two-year, $33MM deal (Twitter link).
Indianapolis’ offensive line is perhaps the team’s biggest strength, thanks in no small part to Castonzo, who has anchored the blindside for Colts signal-callers since his rookie year in 2011. As ESPN’s Field Yates observes (via Twitter), Indy was the only team to start the same five offensive linemen in every game in 2019, and the current unit will remain intact for the third consecutive year in 2020.
Though Castonzo has never made the Pro Bowl, he’s started in all 132 of his games with consistently strong play. Last year, the Boston College product graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 ranked tackle in the entire NFL. His 81.3 overall score was even stronger than his 2017 and 2018 showings, proving that he still has plenty of football left in the tank.
His previous four-year, $43.8MM deal expired at the end of the 2019 season, and he was reportedly considering retirement earlier this year. However, he recently announced that he would continue his playing career, and he made it clear that he would not consider signing with a club other than the Colts.
Though that statement didn’t do much to help his leverage, it turns out he didn’t need it. The $16.5MM AAV he will see under his new contract puts him at the top of the left tackle market.
I would have lost a bet thinking this guy made numerous Pro Bowls.
I woulda lost bets thinking he’d be the highest paid left tackle. But absolutely ecstatic to see the colts willing to spend that money finally.
I love the irony of him being the highest paid LT and having no QB to protect. Wonder how much the Colts would be willing to give him if they still had Luck as their starter?
It’s almost as if the team still has the ability to adjust and add to the roster. Amazing concept, I know.
Basic concept of addition by subtraction actually. Without Luck the Colts were able to create the cap space needed to address other team needs.
Colts should now make a move for Amari Cooper. Pay him the big money he wants and watch that offence thrive. You’d have a great line, great receivers, with a good young RB and good young TE’s.
I’d rather keep and start Jacoby over Rivers. It would save you cap space and Rivers at max has only 2 years left in him. I’d rather develop Jacoby and put faith in him.
Use the 20+ mil you’d spend on Rivers to upgrade that defence. Can either look at trading for Judon or Ngakoue, trading for Geno Atkins, or going for a free agent like Xavier Rhodes or Vic Beasley. Id say Atkins, Beasley and Rhodes would be ideal.
Jacoby is not a starting quarterback. If last season taught us anything than this is it. Team goes nowhere with him.
Pride of Lake Zurich, IL HS!
Congratulations!