Grover Stewart has established himself as top-of-the-line run stopping inside defensive linemen within the NFL and has been a key clog within the Colts’ protection for a few years. He performs the 1-tech spot in a 4-3 in addition to anybody. With Chris Ballard’s fixed emphasis on a powerful defensive position, protecting Stewart is perhaps his prime precedence subsequent offseason. What kind of contact can he command?

Contracts of Associated Gamers

Kenny Clark — 4 yr, $70,000,000 with $25,000,000 (35.7%) Assured — Signed in 2020

Dalvin Tomlinson — 4 yr, $57,000,000 with $27,500,000 (48.3%) Assured — Signed in 2023

DJ Reader — 4 yr, $53,000,000 with $20,250,000 (38.2%) Assured — Signed in 2020

Ed Oliver — 4 yr, 68,000,000 with $45,278,000 (66.6%) Assured — Signed in 2023

If we account for inflation, the common of these contracts comes out to:

4 yr, $66,350,000 with 31,320,000 (47.2%) Assured

These gamers had been chosen primarily based on the positions they they play alongside the defensive position, their common assignments, statistics and play kind in addition to their (or projected) significance to their defenses.

Contract Projection

If we take the common and align it extra to what Chris Ballard gave DeForest Buckner when it comes to construction in addition to issue the rise of assured cash over the previous few years, we are able to mission that Stewart’s contract would appear like this:

4 years, $64,500,000 with 35,500,000 (55%) Assured

Why It’s a No Brainer to Re-Signal Him

The defensive position is the spine and engine of the protection. The 2 inside defensive linemen are essential in Gus Bradley’s 4-3 system, which is why Ballard made the large funding in Buckner because the 3-tech and why I consider he’ll do the identical for Stewart as a 1-tech.

He has stayed very wholesome over the course of his profession, solely lacking 2 video games in his profession and his tackles for loss numbers have climbed yearly. He’s in the midst of his athletic prime as a defensive linemen (late 20s, early 30s) and has been a very good ambassador for the staff since he was drafted within the 4th spherical in 2017. He checks off each field for Chris Ballard. He must be part of the rebuild despite the fact that the rebuild is generally taking place on offense.