Colts player projected to become next highest-paid player at position

[ASFN Admin]

Indianapolis Colts' left guard Quenton Nelson is entering the final year of his current deal. If you ask ESPN's Bill Barnwell, Nelson's next contract could make him the highest-paid guard in the NFL.

Currently, that title belongs to the Dallas Cowboys' Tyler Smith, who is averaging $24 million per year on his deal. Nelson's current deal, which he signed in 2022, was for four years and $80 million, averaging out to $20 million per year.

About to enter his ninth NFL season, Nelson continues to play at an extremely high level. Among all guards this season, Nelson ranked fourth in Pro Football Focus' pass-blocking efficiency and fourth in run-blocking grade. He is an eight-time Pro Bowler and has made six All-Pro teams in his career.

"Nelson, 30, should be able to reset the guard market for a second time as a pro," Barnwell wrote. "The Colts are in a bit of a difficult cap situation after paying quarterback Daniel Jones and receiver Alec Pierce this offseason, but Nelson's ability to overwhelm defenders at the point of attack and pull as part of a diverse run game makes him absolutely essential for Shane Steichen's offense."

While the quarterback and skill positions often garner the attention, it is Nelson and the offensive line that set the table for the offense. Without a steady run game or time in the pocket for the quarterback, moving the ball with any sort of consistency becomes a very tall task.

Although a new contract awaits Nelson at some point, that's not where his focus lies.

"It's really out of my control," Nelson said on Wednesday. "That's with the people in this building and my agent and worrying about it or thinking about it isn't going to help me accomplish any of my goals. So I leave that to them and I'm just here. I'm all ball."

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts Quenton Nelson 'next up' to be NFL's highest-paid guard says ESPN

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