The hope for Bernhard Raimann when he came into the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2022 draft was that he would develop into a solid, long-term piece of the offensive line. Third-round picks can be starters, but few are going to be stars. For the Indianapolis Colts, Raimann has relatively turned out to be just that.
He also became a player that the Colts could not let go of. In 2025, he was entering the final year of his rookie deal, plays a premium position (left tackle), and plays it well. He deserved to get paid, and he will. Thankfully, that money will come from Indianapolis
Raimann and the Colts appeared to be far apart in contract talks for a bit. He recently told 107.5 The Fan’s Query and Company program that he and the Colts are “aren't on the same page about things” in terms of money.
The Indianapolis Colts thankfully decided to pay Bernhard Raimann
He added that he loves Indianapolis and is happy playing for the Colts, but players in the NFL get paid to do a job. In the end, it’s about business, and Raimann rightfully feels he is owed his value.
The money was always likely to be north of $20 million a year. The left tackle is only 27 years old, stays relatively healthy, and has received elite grades in both run-blocking and pass-protection in each of the last two years from Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Last year was his best season, allowing just 20 total pressures in 471 pass-blocks. There is no reason to think he will suddenly diminish.
Good left tackles are difficult to find, but great ones, such as Raimann, are gems worth keeping around for a long time. Now that the Colts have signed Raimann to a four-year extension worth $100 million with $60 million of that guaranteed, Indy could move on to addressing other issues.
Plus, Indianapolis was basically faced with paying Raimann because, as a third-round choice, the team did not have a fifth-year option, or letting him walk in free agency. The team could have slapped the franchise tag on the left tackle, but that wasn't going to be much less expensive than simply extending him.
The top 11 highest-paid left tackles in the NFL per average annual salary currently make at least $20 million a year. Raimann is inarguably a top-10 tackle right now. A rebuilding Indianapolis Colts team needs players like Bernhard Raimann. Thankfully, he is going to be around a while.