On Thursday, the Indianapolis Colts announced that they have re-signed longtime punter Rigoberto Sanchez to a contract extension that will currently make him one of the top five highest paid punters in the NFL:
Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, it’s confirmed to be a 2-year contract extension, which will keep the otherwise pending free agent punter, in Indianapolis through the 2028
campaign.
Originally signed by the Colts as an undrafted rookie in 2017 out of Hawaii, the 9-year veteran has become one the league’s better punters, if not arguably among the best players at his position.
While Sanchez may not have quite the booming leg of some of elite punting peers, he makes up for it with his elite accuracy and ball placement off his leg, as 50% of his punts were pinned with the 20-yard line last season (which was a career high). His punting skill-set plays really well with half his games inside a roof under Lucas Oil Stadium, where he can play the home turf to his punting advantage.
Last season, he had 44 punts for the Colts, averaging 48.8 yards per punt (*8th most in the NFL in 2025), as well as handled a few kickoffs (9) in relief for Indianapolis’ special teams units. Per PFF, he was their 9th best graded punter overall with a +76.7 overall grade.
Even though Sanchez surprisingly hasn’t made a Pro Bowl yet, it’s good to see that the Colts will be keeping one of their longstanding special teams standouts in Indianapolis for at least three more seasons.
