“We want to be the best defensive line in the league”

Paye had a career-high 8.5 sacks, 52 tackles, two forced fumbles and was part of an underrated Colts offensive line that was fifth in the NFL with 51.0 sacks. His 74.3 PFF grade was also the best of his career so far.

One of the deepest units in the league, Indy had four players (Samson Ebukam, 9.5; Paye; DeForest Buckner, 8.0; and Dayo Odeyingbo, 8.0) with eight or more sacks. General manager Chris Ballard clearly wasn't happy about that, as the Colts became the first NFL team to draft a defensive back in the spring, selecting UCLA's Laiatu Latu with the 15th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Paye, whose running prowess is arguably an asset to his pass rush, is ready to charge the defensive line.

“Our defensive line has improved every season I’ve been here,” Paye said. “Last year, we broke the franchise single-season sacks record for defensive linemen. We want to do it again this year.”

“We had four players with eight or more sacks in 2023. This year, we’re trying to get players even closer to that number, maybe add more, or maybe we’ll all hit 10 or more sacks. We’re excited to see what happens.”

From what he has seen so far, Paye believes Latu has a lot to offer as he looks to overcome his injury issues and has so far shown a willingness to learn and improve his craft.

“He’s a go-getter and a hard worker. He’s all about football,” Paye said of Latu. “All he wants to do is get better every day. He wants to be the best pass rusher he can be. He’s always asking questions. What did you see here, Kwity? The way he looks, he’s got the right approach.”

“He’s very humble and willing to work. It’s great for the room. He fits in perfectly because we’re all humble and willing to give our best. We all accept criticism from our teammates and coaches.”

While Paye has gotten progressively better each season, he was one of the most unpredictable first-rounders of 2021 when it came to predicting whether his fifth-year option would be picked up. It was, and Paye is grateful for that and isn't looking to talk about an extension right now.

He seems realistic and he still has a lot to prove before he gets a very expensive contract extension.

“I'm excited that Chris Ballard got my fifth year,” he said. “I see this as an opportunity to prove that I'm what this team needs in a pass rusher moving forward.

“I'm going to go out there and get the sacks, get the production. After that, we'll have those contract discussions next season. For the most part, I'm not really worried about that. [this year]. I'm worried about not having my best season so far. We'll discuss everything else. [contract] “next offseason.”

At a meager $2.5 million this season and $13.3 million in 2025 on his club option, Paye would certainly reap a larger sum if he were able to rack up double-digit sacks.

He's improved by at least two sacks each campaign, so it's definitely doable for the 25-year-old Michigan product who was born in Guinea.

Yet that is the goal for 2025. Before that, he has a lot to do, individually and alongside his brothers in arms, who are quickly becoming one of the most formidable defensive lines of the moment.

“We want to be the best defensive line in the league,” he said. “We're really working toward that. We think we're capable of doing that this season.”