Raiders bolster defense with a massive $48 million deal for pass rusher Kwity Paye, continuing their aggressive free agency spree.
The Las Vegas Raiders mean business.
After trading Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks, the Raiders then acquired cornerback Taron Johnson in a deal with the Buffalo Bills one day before free agency.
Then, a flurry of deals came on Monday in Las Vegas.
The Raiders brought back cornerback Eric Stokes on a three-year, $30 million deal. Then, the Raiders stunned everybody by signing Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum to a market-changing three-year, $81 million deal.
And, they signed wide receiver Jalen Nailor to a three-year, $35 million deal.
On Monday afternoon, the action continued with a three-year deal for Indianapolis Colts pass rusher Kwity Paye. The deal is for three years and $48 million with $32 million guaranteed, according to Insider Jordan Schultz.
Paye, who was born in Guinea, played college football at Michigan and was selected by the Colts at No. 21 overall in 2021.
Paye played a total of 75 regular-season games for Indianapolis, totaling 209 tackles, 30.5 sacks, five fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles.
In 2023, he had a career-high 8.5 sacks and then 8 more sacks in 2024.
Spotrac's projected market value had Paye at three years and juder under $54 million, which would've earned him just below $18 million per year.
On the new deal with the Raiders, he gets an average of $16 million per season with $32 million guaranteed, so it's a solid deal for both sides.
Within the first few hours of free agency, the Raiders had already landed deals with the following players.
Paye's departure from the Colts felt very realistic, and it only improved after the Colts agreed to a whopping four-year, $114 million deal with wide receiver Alec Pierce, not to mention terms to bring back Daniel Jones after they used the transition tag on him.
The Raiders' moving on from Crosby was expected, but landing two picks, including one in the first round this year, and now bringing in Paye, is a step in the right direction after some frustrating seasons in Las Vegas.
Paye should immediately be pegged as a starter on the Raiders' defense, and although it is Day 1, there is a lot to be excited about for Las Vegas fans and new head coach Klint Kubiak.
Plus, the No. 1 pick is coming to town, which will almost certainly be Indiana star Fernando Mendoza.