As the new CBA was approved and the salary cap was set for the league, the Indianapolis Colts quickly announced the two-year contract extension for left tackle Anthony Castonzo.
One of the biggest priorities this offseason was getting Castonzo’s contract done before he hit the market. He had to make his decision to return first, but the Colts also had to wait on the news regarding the future CBA.
What this means for the offensive line
The Colts have one of the best starting five in the NFL. Durable and productive, the group is led by Castonzo. Now, the 31-year-old left tackle will keep the offensive line intact for at least one more season—the future of some other players on the line is unclear.
The entire Colts offensive line played over 1,000 snaps in 2019. That doesn’t happen often. Castonzo enjoyed his best season as a left tackle since entering the league in 2011 as a first-round pick. Now, they have one of the best left tackle/left guard duos in the NFL once again.
What this means for the salary cap
The Colts entered this offseason with one of the highest amounts of salary cap space in the league. The official salary cap sits at $198.2 million for the league, which means the Colts are looking at roughly $82–84 million in salary cap space.
Depending on the details of the deal, the Colts are giving Castonzo at least $16.5 million in base salary, but we will have more information on what his cap hit is like when more details come out. This was a very good deal for the Colts.
What this means for the draft
Before Castonzo re-signed for two years, the Colts were thought of as a team that needed to add young talent to the offensive tackle group. That shouldn’t change even with Castonzo coming back through the 2021 season.
The Colts have little depth on the offensive line behind their starters. Adding a high-upside prospect in the draft should still be on the docket for the Colts. They can rest easy knowing that player won’t have to start right away but with such a strong offensive tackle class, the Colts should take advantage of it.