INDIANAPOLIS — Bernhard Raimann has vaulted from 2022 third-round draft pick to one of the NFL’s highest-paid offensive tackles.
The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to give Raimann, who’s in the final year of his rookie deal, a four-year extension, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
Various reports on social media have Raimann’s extension being worth a maximum of $100 million with $60 million guaranteed.
The four-year average — $25 million — is tied for the sixth-highest in the league among offensive tackles. Raimann trails Tampa Bay’s Tristan Wirfs ($28.5 million), the Los Angeles Chargers’ Rashawn Slater ($28.5 million), Detroit’s Penei Sewell ($28 million), San Francisco’s Trent Williams ($27.55 million) and Minnesota’s Christian Darrisaw ($26 million), and matches Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson and Washington’s Laremy Tunsil.
What separates Raimann from his now-high-rent neighbors? The other seven were first-round drafts. Six of the seven were selected 13th or sooner.
The Colts used a third-round pick — No. 77 overall — on a still-developing tackle out of Central Michigan.
Raimann saw spot action in three of his first four games as a rookie, then made his first NFL start in a week 5 prime-time road test at Denver. He struggled mightily against Denver’s aggressive defensive front. In the Colts’ 12-9 overtime win, Raimann was penalized three times for holding — one was declined — and once for a false start. He allowed five pressures on 48 pass-protection opportunities.
“Definitely had a rough start,’’ Raimann said at the time. “I made a lot of mistakes, and there’s a lot of things to learn from.’’
It’s not a stretch to insist he’s gotten better every time he’s stepped on the field since that inglorious start.
Raimann has started 40 games in three seasons and given every indication he can provide long-term security at left tackle, as was the case with Tarik Glenn and Anthony Castonzo.
And he’s still a work in progress.
Raimann is a native of Steinbrunn, Austria, where he played one year of high school football in Delton, Michigan, as an exchange student. He spent his first two seasons at Central Michigan as a tight end before switching to left tackle and starting 18 games his final two seasons.
At the start of training camp, general manager Chris Ballard declined to discuss contract issues regarding any players.
But on Raimann he added, “He’s a really good player. We think a lot of him.’’
Raimann created a bit of stir last week at training camp by hinting he and the Colts weren’t making much progress on a possible extension.
“From my understanding, they aren’t on the same page about things,’’ he said during an interview on 107.5 The Fan’s “Query and Company.’’
“The numbers don’t always quite add up. They might value the position differently than my (agents) thinks it is. But we’re working on things.’’
According to a source, the extension discussions were easier than most might have anticipated.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.