Former Northwestern Defensive Lineman Lands $35 Million Colts Extension

Former Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore is earning a major payday after agreeing to a two-year, $35 million contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts.

The deal includes a $13 million signing bonus and $22.5 million in new money through 2027, rewarding Adebawore for his breakout performance during the 2026 season. At just 25 years old, the defensive tackle is beginning to establish himself as one of the Colts’ most important pieces on the defensive line and will have an opportunity to build on that progress in the coming years.

Adebawore’s extension also comes just hours after former Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II agreed to a three-year, $46 million extension with the New York Giants. Seeing two former Wildcats secure major NFL contracts within days of each other is another reminder of the talent Northwestern has helped develop and send to the highest level of football.

For Adebawore, the new deal represents a significant step forward after spending his first few NFL seasons working to establish a consistent role in Indianapolis. Now, the Colts are showing their confidence in his ability to become a long-term difference-maker.

Adebawore has been one of the NFL’s most productive interior pass rushers through the first eight games of the 2026 season. He has recorded 19 total tackles, four sacks, four tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits and two passes defended while appearing in all eight games, including two starts.

A fourth-round selection with the 110th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Adebawore has steadily developed since entering the league. Through 51 career appearances, he has totaled 67 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 20 quarterback hits and one fumble recovery.

His production this season is particularly impressive when compared with his first three years in Indianapolis. After recording 6.5 sacks across his first 43 appearances, Adebawore has already matched his career high with four sacks through just eight games in 2026.

Before making the jump to the NFL, Adebawore put together an impressive four-year career at Northwestern. He appeared in 41 games, making 33 starts, and finished with 97 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, six passes defended and four forced fumbles.

His best season came in 2022, when he recorded career highs with 38 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five sacks. His performance earned him Third Team All-Big Ten recognition from the conference’s media voters, while he also established himself as one of the most disruptive defensive players in the conference.

Adebawore’s athletic ability made him an intriguing NFL prospect, particularly after an impressive performance at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds at 282 pounds, becoming the first player weighing more than 280 pounds to run under 4.50 seconds at the combine.

Now, that athletic potential is translating into production at the professional level. The Colts are rewarding his development with a significant extension, giving him financial security while providing an opportunity to continue proving himself as he enters the prime of his career.

For Northwestern, Adebawore’s deal is another positive moment for a program that continues to see former players make an impact in the NFL. With Newsome and Adebawore both securing major extensions within days of each other, Wildcats fans have plenty to be proud of as former teammates continue to earn their place among the league’s top players.

Adebawore still has plenty of football ahead of him, and this extension gives him a chance to build on what has already been a career-best season. At 25, he has the opportunity to establish himself as a cornerstone of Indianapolis’ defense and potentially position himself for another major payday down the road.