Indianapolis Colts re-sign Anthony Castonzo: Grade, reaction and more
One of the best offensive lines in the league will be staying intact as veteran left tackle Anthony Castonzo will remain with the Indianapolis Colts.
According to Ben Linsey of Pro Football Focus (subscription required), only the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens got better play from their offensive line this past season than the Indianapolis Colts.
It’s a group that feature three first-round draft choices in left guard Quenton Nelson (2018), center Ryan Kelly (2016) and left tackle Anthony Castonzo (2011). Right guard Mark Glowinski, who began his career with the Seattle Seahawks, and right pick Braden Smith – a 2018 second-round pick by the Colts – round out the starting five.
Following the season, four of those individuals were under contract by the team. And now this talented quintet will be back in 2020 as Castonzo for a 10th NFL campaign thanks to a new contract for the 22nd-overall selection from Boston College back in ’11.
The reliable pro, who has played and started 132 regular-season games in nine seasons with the Colt and been a 16-game starter six times over that span, has been one of the steadier performers at his position in the league. He’s graded out consistently well via PFF and in 2019, only six tackles in the NFL earned a higher grade than the 6’7”, 307-pound blocker.
Contract Details
The Indianapolis Colts announced the extension. Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the veteran blocker, who was slated to hit the free-agent market this week, will receive a two-year extension worth $33 million
National Reaction
We have agreed to terms with T Anthony Castonzo on a contract extension.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) March 15, 2020
The #Colts are signing LT Anthony Castonzo to a two-year, $33 million contract extension, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2020
#Colts Anthony Castonzo is now the highest paid left tackle in the NFL. Well deserved for AC!
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) March 15, 2020
1. Castonzo = $16.5 million annually
2. Lewan = $16 million annually
3. Solder = $15.5 million annually pic.twitter.com/6wBcevY9NY
"One of the most underrated players in the NFL."@PFF_Steve on the Colts re-signing Anthony Castonzo pic.twitter.com/XvthFJDM8L
— PFF (@PFF) March 15, 2020
The Colts are re-signing OT Anthony Castonzo per @TomPelissero
— PFF (@PFF) March 15, 2020
Castonzo: PFF grade of 77+ in 8 straight seasons pic.twitter.com/MwrkzWFh6b
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While it was a disappointing year for Frank Reich’s team in general, the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive was a bright spot for the second consecutive season. General manager Chris Ballard has done a masterful job of rebuilding this unit and retaining Castonzo (who was with the organization prior to the GM’s arrival) was huge.
Over the past two seasons, the Colts have allowed a combined 50 sacks – quite a turnaround for a club that surrendered a league-high 56 QB traps in 2017. And Indianapolis finished seventh in the league in 2019 rushing yards per game. Castonzo’s return can’t be underestimated as continuity is huge when it comes to offensive line play.