The Indianapolis Colts didn’t wait. They locked up left tackle Bernhard Raimann to a four-year, $100 million extension on Tuesday, keeping him out of next year’s free agency. On the surface, it looks like a big win for stability. But dig a little deeper, and it starts to look like a gamble, maybe even a serious overpay.

Colts just dropped $100 million on Raimann... Was it too much, too soon?

Raimann’s story is impressive. A former tight end from Central Michigan turned left tackle, he’s only been playing the position since 2020. Since entering the league as a third-round pick in 2022, he’s improved each season, and last year, he proved he could handle protecting the quarterback’s blind side.

Still, $25 million per year for a lineman with only one standout season? That’s a steep price, especially when the Colts are overhauling their offensive line after losing Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly and solid guard Will Fries to free agency. There’s no telling how well Raimann will perform without those veterans next to him.

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Even more concerning, Raimann himself recently said negotiations weren’t going well. Just last week, he told a local radio station that the two sides weren’t close on value. That makes this sudden deal feel more like a panic move than a calculated contract.

Yes, the Colts needed continuity on the offensive line, especially with a young quarterback under center. But they may have committed franchise-level money to a player who’s still learning the position and has never made a Pro Bowl.

If Raimann takes a step back this year or struggles without veteran help around him, this contract could quickly look like one of the riskiest bets the Colts have made in years.

Indianapolis opens the regular season at home on September 7 as they welcome the Miami Dolphins to town.

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