Indianapolis Colts sign OT Luke Tenuta

Luke Tenuta's one-year, $960K extension earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI), reflecting a deal that's fundamentally workmanlike but misses the efficiency ceiling for a depth offensive lineman in the preseason window. At $960K AAV, this is a back-of-the-roster commitment—well below market for even a solid starter, let alone a franchise-caliber tackle—which keeps dead-cap risk minimal and preserves cap flexibility during a critical offseason phase. The value equation hinges on Tenuta's role: if he's pegged as a reserve or swing tackle option, the CVI reflects reasonable stewardship; if the Colts view him as depth filling a specific need, it's a neutral procedural move. Where the C+ grade tightens is in the salary efficiency itself—there's little upside captured here, and the one-year structure offers no long-term value play, just a low-cost rental. For Indianapolis, sitting at 8-9 and needing to stabilize the roster before regular season kickoff, this is the kind of transaction that neither hurts nor transforms the line; it's organizational maintenance, not a statement of confidence in a competitive window.