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According to ESPN’s Field Yates, Indianapolis Colts’ first round pick Kwity Paye—who was just taken with the 21st overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has had his freshly inked rookie contract figures recently unveiled:
Terms of Kwity Paye's four-year, fully guaranteed deal with the Colts:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 11, 2021
Signing bonus: $7,283,516
Base salaries:
2021: $660,000
2022: $1,280,000
2023: $1,900,440
2024: $2,520,660
I'm old enough to remember when rookie contracts took forever to get worked out.
Of course, Paye, as a first round pick, will also have a 5th-year option for the Colts ($13.645M) to potentially pick up ahead of the 2025 season.
The Colts have already signed five of their seven draft picks—with just 4th round tight end Kylen Granson and 6th round quarterback Sam Ehlinger remaining.
Regarding Paye, the 6’2”, 261 pound senior Michigan Wolverines edge recorded 16 tackles (12 solo), 4.0 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks during 4 games—as a Second-Team All-Big Ten member and Academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2020.
Even as a rookie, Paye should be featured prominently along the Colts defensive line, as he projects to replace the role left by departed veteran Justin Houston coming off the edge.
Given his recent lucrative rookie NFL contract, Paye has already stated that his beloved mother, who has already sacrificed so much personally for him and his family, is “done working” and is “officially retired”—which is truly heartwarming to hear. Go Kwity, go!