Colts ink Leonard to reported 5-year, $99.25M extension
The Indianapolis Colts and Darius Leonard have agreed to a contract extension, the club announced Sunday.
Leonard's new deal is a five-year pact worth $99.25 million, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.
The contract, which includes $52.5 million guaranteed, will make Leonard the NFL's highest-paid inside linebacker, Rapoport adds. San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, who inked a five-year extension reportedly worth $95 million last month, was previously the position's highest earner.
Highest paid LBs on a per-year basis:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 8, 2021
—> Darius Leonard: $19.85M
Fred Warner: $19M
Bobby Wagner: $18M
CJ Mosley: $17M
Zach Cunningham: $14.5M
Myles Jack: $14.25M
Deion Jones: $14.25M
Leonard, 26, has held down the middle of the Colts' defense since they drafted him in 2018. The former second-rounder exploded onto the scene during his first year, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year and first-team All-Pro honors after leading the league with 163 tackles.
Since entering the league, Leonard leads all inside linebackers in tackles per game (9.9), sacks (15), and forced fumbles (nine), according to ESPN's Field Yates. His seven interceptions since 2018 rank second at his position.
Additionally, Leonard has earned Pro Bowl nods in each of his last two seasons. He recorded 132 tackles and three sacks in 2020.