WESTFIELD, Ind. — It’s been a long journey from Steinbrunn, Austria, to the high-rent neighborhood Bernhard Raimann now resides.
From a 14-year-old giving American football a try as a wide receiver with the Vienna Vikings to an exchange student at Delton-Kellogg High School in Michigan to the transition from tight end to offensive tackle at Central Michigan to 2022 third-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts who endured one of the most difficult first NFL starts conceivable to one of the league’s highest-paid tackles.
Did Raimann ever dream of signing a four-year extension worth a maximum of $100 million with $60 million guaranteed?
“I’ve always believed in myself,’’ he said Tuesday afternoon at Grand Park, “but I don’t think I’ve ever thought it all the way through, to be honest. I was just taking it day-by-day, just trying to make the most of my opportunities.
“Obviously, I’ve been very fortunate. God put these opportunities in my life and . . . it always takes a village, and I’ve had some amazing people in my life that supported me through all of it, gave me strength.
“Now, I’m just beyond blessed to be here.’’
Raimann, 27, was in the final year of his rookie contract, but the extension ties him to the Colts through 2029. He mentioned last week during an interview on 107.5 The Fan’s “Query and Company’’ his agent and the team weren’t close to a new deal, but things came together quickly and, according to a source, easily.
Raimann insisted he “tried to stay out of it as much as I could.’’
“We’ve always wanted to be here,’’ he said. “It’s such a blessing to be here. We’re just excited to be Colts for four more years.’’
The $25 million per-year average of the extension is tied-6th among offensive tackles. It also gives the Colts one of the NFL’s highest-paid left tackle-left guard tandems. Quenton Nelson, the 6th overall pick in 2018, is under contract through 2026 after signing a four-year, $80 million contract in September 2022 that included $60 million in guarantees.
Nelson is a five-time All-Pro — three first-team, two second-team selections — and the first Colt named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons. He’s established himself as one of the NFL’s premier players at his position.
That’s Raimann’s objective as well.
“The goal is always to be the best tackle in the league. There’s no doubt about it,’’ he said.
If he achieves that goal, he’ll do so by following the blueprint that got him to this point.
General manager Chris Ballard cited Raimann’s work ethic as well as “his character, dedication and persistence,’’ in a statement released by the team. “He exemplifies each of our team’s four pillars and is a leader in our locker room’’
That was emphasized by Raimann as well.
“So, daily improvements, working on little things, competing every single day, working hard, not thinking about contract things,’’ he said. “It’s all about the team, all about football, winning some games for the Colts, but for Indiana.’’
Raimann has started 40 games in his first three seasons, and has improved exponentially since his first start. It was week 5 of his rookie season at Denver, and to describe it as a struggle would be a gross understatement.
In its 2025 preview, Pro Football Focus ranked Raimann as the NFL’s No. 10 offensive tackle. The site noted his 87.9 grade over the past two seasons ranks No. 7 among all tackles and No. 5 among left tackles.
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo understands the value of a top-level left tackle. He occasionally must account for one when putting together his game plan.
“It’s kind of like running into a brick wall,’’ Anarumo said. “Do you want to do that all day?
“So, it makes you think, take it to a next level in terms of setting up your rushes and then your blitz packages to try to stay away from guys like that.’’
Anthony Richardson Sr.’s face lit up when Raimann’s extension was mentioned during his meeting with the media.
“That’s a blessing,’’ he said. “Helluva player. I didn’t even know that happened. I was in the training room, and I just hear everybody like celebrating and congratulating him.
“I’m like, ‘What happened?’ Then they were telling me that he got the extension. So, it just shows that his hard work is paying off. He’s a helluva player in this league and I’m proud. I’m glad that he’s still on my team.’’
The magnitude of securing long-term financial security hadn’t completely sunk in when Raimann talked with the media shortly after noon.
His next order of business was to share the life-altering moment Tuesday night with wife Calli and daughter Charlotte.
“Seeing my wife . . .will probably get to settle down . . . and take it all in,’’ Raimann said.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.