When the 2019 season ended, left tackle Anthony Castonzo was not sure he was going to keep playing.
Instead, he ultimately signed a new deal to keep him as an Indianapolis Colt.
On a SiriusXM NFL Radio appearance, Castonzo outlined the reason why he wanted to remain playing.
Better yet, he sees 2020 as being a better year.
The End Of 2019
A lot of Castonzo’s thinking for walking away from football was due to his health.
It certainly had nothing to do with his production.
Despite not ever making a Pro Bowl, Castonzo has been one of the better, and durable left tackles in the league.
Castonzo has started every game for the Colts in three of the last four seasons.
He missed five games in 2018 with a hamstring injury.
Along with that, Castonzo had just two penalties last year, one false start, and no holding calls.
It makes sense why he is getting paid the money he is going to get the next two seasons.
Official terms on Anthony Castonzo’s deal, per @caplannfl.
2020-21 = $17 million
2021-22 = $16 millionCastonzo will be making $1 million more than any other left tackle next season. #Colts pic.twitter.com/UO4eFJe4xC
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) March 15, 2020
The Thought Of Quitting
At the end of 2019, Castonzo’s knees were hurting, but he said they “felt better” than they have in a long time.
Castonzo said he would have “shut it down” if he didn’t feel he could have a better year than 2019.
However, that thought quickly went away after he started training in the offseason.
#Colts OT Anthony Castonzo told us why he re-signed and what QB Philip Rivers brings to Indianapolis…
“You have a guy whose done it and has shown how well he can do it.”
👇AUDIO👇| #NFLFreeAgency pic.twitter.com/5leTjbVYhI
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) March 29, 2020
Looking Forward To The Future
Blocking for quarterback Philip Rivers certainly helps to get excited for 2020.
Castonzo loves the idea that the team brought back the same offensive line from last season too.
Quenton Nelson is back for two more seasons at left guard, while right guard Mark Glowinski signed a three-year extension in 2019.
Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly is under contract for 2020, while right tackle Braden Smith is entering his third season with the Colts.
With Castonzo back, this could be the best offensive line the Colts have ever had.
Either way, Castonzo believes next season could be better from him and the team.
“When my body was way ahead of where it was last year and I kinda saw the potential to play significantly better this year than I did last year I got really excited at that opportunity,” said Castonzo. “That was when I told the Colts that I’d be coming back.”
Final Thoughts
Since being draft in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Castonzo has only missed 23 games in nine seasons.
That equates to 132 games total.
He has been one of the most underrated players in the NFL, but what makes this special is that Castonzo wants more.
Despite being 31, with no Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition, he is still striving for a better season.
That should excite every Colts fan for the future.
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