Breaking News: Colts sign RT Braden Smith to a 4-year, $72M contract extension
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By: Andrew Thomison
In what only seemed like a matter of time, the Colts have signed right tackle Braden Smith to a 4-year, $72 million extension with $42 million in guaranteed money, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The #Colts and OT Braden Smith have agreed to a four-year extension worth $72.4 million, including $70 million in new money and $42 million guaranteed, per source. Indy locks up big-time tackle.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 28, 2021
One of the more underrated tackles in the NFL currently gets a well-deserved contract extension.
Last season, in 900 snaps, Smith didn’t surrender a single sack. Additionally, Smith was one of the least penalized tackles last year, too, being flagged just three total times.
Not surrendering a single sack all of last season is a tough task for any tackle in today’s pass-heavy NFL. And when you consider the level of competition Smith faced last season — (J.J. Watt, Matthew Judon, Josh Allen, Khalil Mack and others), that accomplishment is even more impressive.
Smith is certainly a huge part in what makes Indy’s offensive line one of the best in the league. The 25-year-old, who was originally drafted as a guard in 2018, was given a chance to start due to injuries along the team’s unit during his rookie season.
From that point forward, Smith has been nothing short of exceptional. Not only is he a dominant pass blocker, but Smith’s dominance in run blocking is also part of what makes him an elite right tackle.
Smith spoke with local Colts reporter just a few months ago, and after (somehow) being subbed from the Pro Bowl last season, the only thing on the right tackles’ mind was wanting to get better and help the team win.
“Every day, I’m coming in to prove myself and play the best I can to help my team win games,” Smith said. “That’s how I approach every day — just improve and get better.”
His teammates think highly of him, and so does head coach Frank Reich.
“He is one of the better right tackles in the league,” Reich said of Smith last season.
Like many of GM Chris Ballard’s draft selections, Smith was quite the find, and the Colts now have one of their best offensive lineman, leaders and all-around players locked up for the next four years.
