Bernhard Raimann: Colts 'aren't on the same page' on contract talks

Indianapolis Star

3 days ago

WESTFIELD, Ind. -- Bernhard Raimann appeared to be the next Colts player in line for a major extension.
But in his words, that isn't a reality in the current moment.
The Colts left tackle is in his third training camp, preparing for a critical contract season that could land him one of the lucrative contracts that come for established left tackles. But after Thursday's practice, he appeared on 107.5 The Fan's "Query and Company" and voiced some concerns about those chances.
"Obviously, we love it here. We'd love to get things done. ... From my understanding, they aren't on the same page about things," Raimann said.
"From my understanding, the numbers don't always quite add up yet. (The Colts) might value the position differently than my team thinks it is. But we're working on things."
Indianapolis traditionally extends players before they enter their contract season and often during training camp. The franchise has done so with Quenton Nelson, Braden Smith, Nyheim Hines, Shaquille Leonard and Kenny Moore II, among others.
It did allow Jonathan Taylor to go into his contract year without a deal, which led to a contentious hold-in before the Colts relented with a three-year, $42 million that put him in the top five at his position in annual value.
Raimann is in a much different spot within the NFL landscape than Taylor was at the time; Taylor had a rushing title to his name and Raimann, though a steady starter, has not received a Pro Bowl or All-Pro nod yet.
But whereas running backs were frozen out from multi-year deals in the summer of 2023, today's left tackles continue to see larger and larger paydays. The position now features 12 players making at least $20 million annually, led by Tristan Wirfs of the Buccaneers at $28.1 million.
"Left tackle is a very important position around here," host Jake Query said.
"I know that," Raimann said. "My agent knows that. I'm hoping the Colts know that, too."
The Colts spent multiple years in search of an answer like Raimann following Anthony Castonzo's retirement after the 2020 season. They signed Jake Fisher in 2021 and then held a competition in 2022 between Matt Pryor, a converted right guard; and Raimann, who needed a year of strength and technique development after arriving as a third-round pick out of the Mid-American Conference with an Austrian upbringing.
The result was a number of lineup changes, a barrage of sacks, two quarterback injuries and a rash of benchings and firings.
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Indianapolis is in a better place now that Raimann has added bulk to his frame, gained confidence and chemistry next to Quenton Nelson and has started 40 career games. It's helped turn a Colts offensive line from the biggest weakness his rookie season into one of the strengths of the team entering his fourth.
But it needs him to protect the blindside for whoever winds up starting at quarterback between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. Ideally, the Colts want this year to be an ascension for Richardson in his third season. That would involve massive strides as a pocket passer, which requires a stable pocket.
And the Colts don't have much depth behind Raimann. Blake Freeland, their 2023 fourth-round pick, has struggled to put on and keep on weight. This year's fourth-round pick, Iowa State's Jalen Travis, is just two years removed from playing at Princeton in the Ivy League.
Raimann's next deal isn't likely to get cheaper from here on out, which allows him to be more comfortable playing out the season if needed.
"I have a guaranteed season with the Colts right now," Raimann said. "That's what I'm working on."
Raimann signed a 4-year, $5,301,962 contract after being drafted in the third round in 2022 according to Spotrac.com. His base salary is $3,656,000 this season and he'll be an unrestricted free agent next year.