Kwity Paye: Everything you need to know

Paye and the Raiders agreed on a three-year, $48 million contract Monday that includes $32 million guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Paye spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Colts after being selected by the team in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He recorded at least 8.0 sacks in consecutive seasons from 2023 to 2024 but saw his numbers dip in 2025, finishing with 39 tackles (15 solo), including 4.0 sacks, and one pass defense across 17 regular-season games. Paye will join a Raiders defensive front that will look significantly different in 2026 after Maxx Crosby (knee) was traded to the Ravens on Friday.

Paye recorded 39 tackles (15 solo), including 4.0 sacks, and one pass breakup across 17 regular-season games in 2025. Paye started 16 of his 17 appearances, but his sack numbers took a hit. After recording 6.0, 8.5 and 8.0 sacks over the previous three seasons, Paye's 4.0 sacks in 2025 tied a career-low, which he set as a 2021 rookie. He was one of the league's least-effective edge rushers but does play solid run defense. The 27-year-old is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason after spending the first five years of his career in Indianapolis following his selection at No. 21 overall in the 2021 Draft.

Paye had two sacks, three QB hits and seven total tackles in Sunday's win over Arizona. On a day when the Colts front four struggled to generate a pass rush, Paye came up huge several times with key sacks. After a slow first two games, he has three sacks and six QB hurries in his last four games.