Saints make Ryan Ramczyk highest-paid in NFL history with new contract extension

The New Orleans Saints just established their anchor on the offensive line with Ryan Ramczyk’s historic extension.

Ryan Ramczyk is now the highest-paid right tackle in NFL history.

Ramczyk and the Saints have agreed to a four-year, $90 million extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal includes $60 million guaranteed for the former first-round pick out of Wisconsin.

The $90 million price tag keeps Ramczyk with the team through 2026.

The Saints’ offseason has been rather quiet. Outside of legendary quarterback Drew Bress retiring, the Saints have stayed under the radar. Jameis Winston looks like he’ll be the starter for Week 1, although there’s a long way to go before the regular season begins. Nevertheless, whoever is under center or New Orleans will have premium protection on the right side for the foreseeable future.

Ryan Ramczyk contract highest-paid RT with a history-making contract extension.

Ramczyk has been a great lineman for the Saints since they drafted him out of Wisconsin in 2017. He’s been a mauler in the run game, winning Pro Football Focus’ Run Blocker of the Year Award in 2019. Since PFF has begun grading linemen in 2006, only fellow Wisconsin product, Joe Thomas had a higher grade than Ramczyk in his first four seasons. His excellence in the trenches was rewarded with a lucrative extension.

He posted a 90.8 grade in 2019 per Pro Football Focus, first among tackles that year. In 2020, he allowed only two sacks the entire season and was only penalized five times. His grade dropped to an 81.5 last year, but his 1.38 wins above replacement were first among tackles and over four-tenths higher than second place. Ramczyk has proven he’s an elite tackle, and now he’s getting paid like one.

As one of Pro Football Focus’ top linemen coming into the 2021 season, Ramczyk will have a chance to show everyone he’s worth the historic contract.