Colts projected to land elite left tackle by offering massive contract

The Indianapolis Colts are predicted to finally solve the left tackle problem by paying big money for an elite free agent.

When Anthony Castonzo announced his retirement, it left the Indianapolis Colts with a void at left tackle, an extremely important position on the offense.

The Colts signed former No. 1 overall pick, Eric Fisher, to a one-year contract to see if he could fill the void. Fisher returned to the field for Indy coming off an Achilles injury and was able to provide quality run blocking.

Unfortunately, Fisher struggled in pass protection, and for that reason, Indy will likely move on from Fisher after just one season together.

That leaves Indianapolis still seeking a long-term solution at the left tackle position. Based on recent projections, the answer for Indy may be available in free agency.

In a recent article by Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports, Benjamin projected contracts and landing spots for 25 big-name free agents. Benjamin predicts the Colts will sign Terron Armstead to a three-year, $61.5 million deal.

Colts land Terron Armstead in recent projection

Armstead has spent his entire nine-year career with the New Orleans Saints. With Drew Brees retiring last year, Sean Payton retiring this year, and the cap purgatory that New Orleans is in, Armstead will probably be seeking a new home.

At just 30 years old and one of the best tackles in all of football, Armstead will command a sizable contract. The Saints won’t be able to offer it but the Colts can.

The three-year, $61.5 million deal would have Indy paying Armstead $20 million annually. That would put him as the fourth-highest paid linemen in all of football.

With the pending contract extension for Indy’s current guard, Quenton Nelson, the Colts will have a great deal of money committed to the left side of the offensive line.

General manager, Chris Ballard, said in his recent press conference, “At my core, you have to be able to block people, you have to. I think one of the number one things for the quarterback to feel comfortable is he’s gotta feel protected.”

This makes it sound like Ballard is willing to spend money on the offensive line. With the combination of Armstead and Nelson, whoever’s at quarterback will definitely be comfortable and protected.

This will eat up a lot of the Colts cap space but the majority of the roster is already set. If Indy lands Armstead, it could go after receivers in the draft and would be able to answer both of its major offensive needs.

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