Colts Lock In Adebawore With 2-Year, $35 Million Deal

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $35 million on Tuesday afternoon. The new deal includes a signing bonus of $13 million and keeps the player under contract through the 2028 season.

Adebawore, 25, was selected by the Colts in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He enters this contract year with strong performance metrics that distinguish him from other rotational defensive linemen on the roster. His development has turned an early third-round selection into a core component of the defensive unit.

The extension comes as the organization prepares for Tuesday’s trade deadline. While the team aims to acquire draft capital by trading players on expiring contracts, Adebawore remains a retained asset. General manager Chris Ballard and his staff identified the 25-year-old as a building block rather than a trade candidate.

The 2023 draft class was intended to rebuild the roster following a four-win season. With twelve players selected that year, Adebawore may be the only one to earn a second contract with Indianapolis. His speed and physical traits set him apart from typical defensive tackles, providing a unique dimension to the interior defense.

The move addresses a gap created by recent roster changes. DeForest Buckner was traded away, and Grover Stewart, 33, is in his final contract year. These shifts leave the team needing stability at a position where the same two starters played every season from 2020 through the current campaign.

By securing Adebawore, the Colts add a known quantity to their core group. The extension provides long-term continuity for a defensive line that has been in flux since the departure of previous veterans.