Center Kirk Lowdermilk and the Indianapolis Colts agreed today to a contract believed to make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.
The Indianapolis Star quoted unidentified sources as saying Lowdermilk had signed a three-year contract deal worth more than $6 million. The team called a 2 p.m. news conference to announce the contract. The deal would surpass the $4.6 million, three-year contract between Harry Galbreath and Green Bay.The Colts' ability to land Lowdermilk, 29, marked the second time in three weeks that a free agent left the Vikings to become the highest-paid offensive lineman in history. One week into the free-agent signing period, right guard Brian Habib signed a three-year deal with the Denver Broncos for more than $4.2 million.
The Habib contract was exceeded by a three-year, $4.6 million pact signed by guard Harry Galbreath of Green Bay.
Lowdermilk, a third-round pick out of Ohio State in 1985, has started 86 games during his eight-year career with the Vikings. The 6-foot-3, 280-pounder has started 70 of Minnesota's last 73 games, including 45 straight.
He had topped Indianapolis' free agent list since the Colts waived 13-year veteran center Ray Donaldson on Feb. 18.
Despite posting a 9-7 record, the Colts ranked 24th in total offense (273.0 yards per game), 28th in rushing (a franchise-record low 68.9) and 26th in scoring (216 points).