Colts' Will Fries, Rodney Thomas II among NFL leaders in performance-based pay
A couple of younger Colts players are enjoying a pay bump for their services last season.
The NFL released its annual list of the top 25 performance-based pay raises for the 2023 season on Monday. Colts guard Will Fries pulled in the 12th-most of any player at $810,000 and free safety Rodney Thomas II made the 18th-most at $769,000.
The bonuses bring Fries' annual earnings to $1.77 million and Thomas' to $1.64 million.
Performance-based pay is intended to go to the players across the NFL who play the most snaps while on the smallest salaries. These are often players on rookie contracts, as both Fries and Thomas are as recent Day 3 selections.
Fries received another shot at the starting right guard spot he landed late in the 2022 season and held it for all of 2023. The 2021 seventh-round pick started all 17 games and helped solidify a Colts offensive line that enjoyed a huge resurgence to help Indianapolis finish 11th in points scored and 13th in the defense-adjusted value over average metric for efficiency.
Thomas played all 17 games for a second straight season and logged 15 starts at a position where he broke out with four interceptions as a rookie the year before. The 2022 seventh-round pick did not enjoy the same success this season, dropping to two interceptions and being benched for Nick Cross for the final two games.
The Colts have not yet signed a starting safety with Julian Blackmon hitting free agency, but the Colts are expected to make additions here. Thomas should factor into the depth next season and could be an option to play more on special teams.
Contact Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Will Fries, Rodney Thomas II among leaders in performance-based pay
