Contract finalized as one bright spot in difficult season
Adetomiwa Adebawore has agreed to a two-year, $35 million contract extension that includes $13 million in signing-bonus money, locking in one of the team’s most productive defenders.
The extension arrives amid a sweeping roster reset that has seen key veterans moved; the Colts signaled their intent to keep Adebawore by extending his contract, and his rise was cited as a reason the team felt comfortable trading DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers.
Production that backed the payday
On-field metrics have backed the commitment. Yardbarker reported Adebawore has recorded four sacks, eight quarterback hits, four tackles for loss and two pass break-ups this season. The same piece credited him with leading all NFL defensive tackles in pressure rate (16.1%) and pass-rush win rate (17%), and said his pass-rush grade ranks third among defensive tackles, per Pro Football Focus.
Yahoo! News also noted the 25-year-old has tied his career high with four sacks through eight games and listed 19 tackles and eight quarterback hits, and reported the new contract adds about $22.5 million in new money through the 2027 season.
From rookie deal to elevated role
Yahoo! News reminded readers that Adebawore entered the league on a four-year, $4.6 million rookie contract and was believed to be on the trade block before the extension signaled the Colts’ intent to keep him. In four NFL seasons, Yardbarker reported, Adebawore has accumulated 10.5 sacks.
The extension serves as both a reward for recent production and a strategic roster decision during the Colts’ rebuild: Yardbarker attributed Adebawore’s ascent as a factor in the team’s ability to move on from higher-profile veterans.
Coaches applaud growth
Yardbarker quoted Shane Steichen saying that Adebawore is “playing at a high level” and projects that he will continue to elevate his play, praising his one-on-one pass-rush wins, willingness to absorb double teams and relentless effort pursuing quarterbacks and the football.
The contract secures a young interior pass rusher for Indianapolis as the club balances short-term turbulence with investments in emerging talent.
