Leonard eyes long-term deal: I hope Colts 'see as much value as I see'

Darius Leonard is looking to cash in this offseason.

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, the 25-year-old is eyeing a lucrative long-term extension with the Indianapolis Colts.

"You know what you've done, and you know what you deserve," Leonard said Tuesday, according to Zak Keefer of The Athletic. "Hopefully, they see as much value as I see."

Leonard has exceeded expectations in his first three NFL seasons and was named the 2018 AP Rookie Defensive Player of the Year. He's also earned two Pro Bowl nods and was a first-team All-Pro in both 2018 and 2020.

"They take value in me," Leonard said of the Colts on Tuesday, according to Nick Shook of NFL.com. "Hopefully, that will show. I think I put in enough work the past three years; I give it my all day in and day out, never miss a day. Once I step on that field, I give everything I got, and they know that. Hopefully, we get everything settled, and hopefully, we're good to go."

Known for his ability to make tackles all over the field, Leonard led the Colts with 132 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks in 2020. The 2018 second-round pick has tallied 416 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks since entering the league.

Indianapolis has emphasized that it wants to keep its young core together as long as possible. The team recently exercised the fifth-year option on All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson's rookie contract.

The Colts could prevent Leonard from hitting free agency after the 2021 season by placing the franchise tag on the standout tackler. But there's optimism the two sides can reach an extension before Leonard becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2022.