Colts News: Reactions to Colts picking up Kwity Paye’s 5th-year option

[Colt4Life]

The deadline to pick up or decline the fifth-year options for first round selections from the 2021 draft class was on Thursday, and the Indianapolis Colts exercised edge rusher Kwity Paye’s.The 2024 season is the final year of Paye’s four-year rookie deal, but by exercising his fifth-year option, Paye will be under contract through 2025. Paye’s 2024 contract will remain the same, but he will earn $13.38 million in 2025. This figure was not negotiated but is predetermined based on the player’s position, the amount of playing time they’ve had on their rookie deal and whether or not they made any Pro Bowls.Since the fifth-year option is basically a one-year deal, that entire $13.38 million will count towards the Colts’ salary cap next season. For some context, a $13.38 million cap hit at the edge rusher position in 2024 would rank as the 21st highest, according to Spotrac, which relatively speaking, isn’t all that bad given Paye’s upside and ability in the run game.Last season, Paye recorded 8.5 sacks, but had only 28 pressures, and will likely need to get after teh quarterback more consistently if he hopes to replicate that type of sack production. As alluded to, Paye was quite good against the run, ranking 11th in PFF’s run defense grade and will be a nice complement to first-round pick Laiatu Latu.Following the news that the Colts had exercised Paye’s fifth-year option, here are some reactions to that decision:

Source: https://coltswire.usatoday.com/lists/re ... ar-option/