Rigoberto Sanchez

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Indianapolis Colts locked up a genuine steal with Rigoberto Sanchez's three-year, $7.5M extension, earning a commanding A CVI that reflects exceptional value at the punter position. At just $2.5M per year, the Colts are paying below-market rates for elite-tier production from a punter who consistently ranks among the NFL's best in net average and directional punting. Sanchez, still in his prime years, gives Indianapolis rare stability at a position where many teams cycle through mediocre options, and his track record of durability makes the modest $2.5M guaranteed investment practically risk-free. The contract structure heavily favors the team, with no significant dead money concerns and the flexibility to move on without penalty if performance somehow declines. This deal exemplifies smart roster building — securing top-tier special teams production at a fraction of what elite punters typically command, allowing the Colts to allocate resources elsewhere while maintaining a crucial competitive advantage in field position battles.

Performance Analysis

Rigoberto Sanchez is a 9-year veteran punter who has quietly carved out one of the more underrated careers at his position in the modern NFL, serving as a foundational piece of the Indianapolis Colts' special teams operation across 130 career games. Undrafted out of Hawaii, Sanchez has defied the transient nature of the punter position by not only surviving but thriving in Indianapolis, establishing himself as a legitimate top-tier specialist whose consistency has made him one of the more reliable weapons in the Colts' field-position arsenal. His A+ performance grade reflects a player operating at the pinnacle of his craft, and his sustained excellence across three consecutive seasons — earning an A+ in 2023, 2024, and 2025 — speaks to a level of durability and professionalism that rivals the best specialists in franchise history. What makes Sanchez's profile so compelling is the remarkable consistency embedded in his career numbers, highlighted by a perfect 100.0 completion percentage and a 118.8 career passer rating on fake punt attempts, figures that reflect not just athleticism but elite situational awareness and execution under pressure. His ability to appear in all 17 games this season — matching the elite benchmark of 17.0 games played against an NFL average of just 14.0 — underscores his durability and the trust the Colts coaching staff places in him as an every-week contributor. Comparisons to former Pro Bowl specialists like Pat McAfee, who similarly elevated the punter position in Indianapolis to a premium roster asset, are not unreasonable when evaluating the totality of Sanchez's body of work and his value beyond the raw statistics. Looking ahead, Sanchez at 31 enters the back half of his career with no visible signs of decline, having strung together three straight elite-grade seasons that suggest his floor remains exceptionally high. The question for Indianapolis will be whether to invest long-term in a specialist who has earned that conversation, or manage his role as the Colts continue retooling their roster around a new offensive identity. If Sanchez maintains his current trajectory, a Pro Bowl nod — long overdue — remains well within reach, and his 2025 performance will be a critical measuring stick for how he ages into the final chapter of a quietly excellent career.

Current Sentiment

Rigoberto Sanchez enters the 2026 season riding an unusual wave of positive media attention, with headlines celebrating the Colts' historic offensive efficiency that has left their veteran punter with virtually nothing to do. The quirky narrative of a punter barely seeing action has generated lighthearted, favorable coverage, framing Sanchez as a professional standing ready while his team dominates possession and field position. His featured role in a high-profile fake punt conversion further elevated his visibility, demonstrating that coaches trust him as more than a one-dimensional specialist. Fan perception has been warmly receptive, with the 'bored punter' storyline serving as a feel-good symbol of the Colts' broader offensive success heading into the new season. With nine years of experience, a stable contract, and a recent moment of spotlight heroism, Sanchez occupies an enviable position as a respected veteran whose quiet reliability is being recognized rather than overlooked.