Darius Leonard the top-paid ILB with five-year, $99.25M deal

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Colts make Darius Leonard NFL's highest-paid ILB with five-year, $99.25 million deal

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/8/21

The Indianapolis Colts have made Darius Leonard the NFL's highest-paid inside linebacker with a five-year, $99.25 million deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Leonard's new deal includes $52.5 million guaranteed and is scheduled to pay him $20 million per year over the first three years.

The #Colts & All-Pro LB Darius Leonard agree to terms on a blockbuster 5-year, $99.25M contract extension to make him the highest paid ILB, sources say. He gets $20M per year over the 1st 3 years. The deal, done by @MalkiKawa & Ethan Lock, includes $52.5M guaranteed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 8, 2021

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner was previously the position's highest-paid player after signing a five-year, $95 million extension last month.

Since entering the NFL in 2018, Leonard leads all inside linebackers in tackles per game (9.9), sacks (15), and forced fumbles (nine), according to ESPN's Field Yates. His seven interceptions rank second at the position.

Leonard has been named an All-Pro in two of his three seasons with two first-team selections in 2018 and 2020 and was also named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018.

In 14 games with the Colts last season, the former second-round pick recorded three sacks, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 132 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and three quarterback hits.

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