Every NFL team’s highest salary for the 2023 season
By Nick Villano
Indianapolis Colts: Shaq Leonard — $19.79 million
Yet another young team looking to find the right places to spend its money, the Indianapolis Colts have gained negative headlines for money, especially when it comes to paying Jonathan Taylor. Jim Irsay has been vocal about the current RB impasse, as his star is looking for a new contract. Taylor reportedly asked for a trade, an ask that is apparently going to be ignored.
As for the players who are on the roster, Shaquille Leonard comes in as the highest-paid. A few players are making north of ten million, but Leonard is coming close to a $20 million cap hit. The Colts decided to pay for its non-skill positions. Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., and Jelani Woods all make less than rookie Anthony Richardson (who only counts $6.18 million against the cap).
Leonard is coming off a tumultuous season that included two back surgeries and just three games played. He’s clearly playing with a chip on his shoulder this season. There aren’t many linebackers who are the team’s highest-paid players. Leonard is looking to break the mold, but he has to have a successful return from injury.
The former Defensive Rookie of the Year and four-time Pro Bowler is still young enough to bounce back. His contract is interesting in the context of the Colts right now, but they will want to make this work. This is not a team looking to rebuild. They hope Richardson could win the division as early as this year.