Raiders Sign Colts DE Kwity Paye to 3-Year, $48M Deal

The Raiders add a key pass rusher to their defense in free agency.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to terms with former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye on a three-year, $48 million contract, including $32 million in guaranteed money. Paye, a first-round pick in 2021, has recorded 209 tackles and 30.5 sacks in 74 NFL starts over the past three seasons.

Why it matters

The Raiders have been looking to bolster their pass rush this offseason after trading away longtime starter Maxx Crosby. Paye, who had 16.5 sacks combined in 2023 and 2024, should provide a significant boost to the Raiders' defensive front.

The details

Paye, 27, has emerged as one of the top young pass rushers in the NFL since being selected in the first round by the Colts in 2021. He will now join the Raiders' defense and be tasked with pressuring opposing quarterbacks alongside the team's other defensive linemen.

  • Paye was drafted by the Colts in the first round in 2021.
  • In 2023 and 2024, Paye combined for 16.5 sacks.
  • The Raiders traded away Maxx Crosby over the weekend.

The players

Kwity Paye

A 27-year-old defensive end who was a first-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2021 and has recorded 209 tackles and 30.5 sacks in 74 NFL starts.

Maxx Crosby

A longtime starting defensive end for the Raiders who was traded to the Baltimore Ravens over the weekend.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must continue to build a strong defensive front to compete in this league.”

— Dave Ziegler, Raiders General Manager (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

What’s next

Paye is expected to join the Raiders' defense and begin preparing for the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

The Raiders have made a significant investment in their defensive line by signing Kwity Paye, a young and talented pass rusher, to a lucrative three-year deal. This move should help bolster their pass rush and improve their overall defensive performance in the upcoming season.