Stephen Holder
The Colts have locked up one in every of their most essential gamers for years to come back.
Left deal with Bernhard Raimann, a former tight finish at Central Michigan who has blossomed into one of many workforce's most indispensable items, signed a four-year contract extension value $100 million, a workforce supply confirmed.
Raimann, a 2022 third-round choose, was coming into the ultimate yr of his rookie contract however the extension retains him off the market subsequent spring. He has proven dramatic enchancment in annually of his profession and final season took a leap that demonstrated he might man the crucial place for the foreseeable future.
However the Colts assume there's extra room for Raimann to proceed his development. He has solely been an offensive deal with since his junior yr in school, throughout the Covid-shortened 2020 season (six video games).
The Austrian-born Raimann got here to the US as an change pupil in his junior yr of highschool, permitting him to proceed studying soccer, which he'd been launched to in his native nation. That led to his fast ascension and a possibility to play in school.
However regardless of his fast growth in Indianapolis, there was some doubt about whether or not this deal would possibly get performed.
As not too long ago as final week, Raimann advised throughout an interview with Indianapolis radio station 107.5-FM that the respective sides had been far aside in negotiations.
“From my understanding, they don't seem to be on the identical web page,” he stated. “From my understanding, it is that the numbers do not fairly add up but, the best way [the Colts] worth my place otherwise than my [agents] assume it's. However we're engaged on it.”
Conserving Raimann in place was essential for Colts due to the timing. Indianapolis is revamping its offensive line after the free-agency departures of four-time Professional Bowl middle Ryan Kelly and proper guard Will Fries. Each gamers joined the Minnesota Vikings.
NFL.com first reported Raimann's signing.
