Indianapolis Colts MLB Gary Brackett (Eric Gay/AP Photo)
This was what Indianapolis Colts MLB Gary Brackett envisioned from the start -- not from the start of the NFL career; no one envisioned this then -- but as free agency approached, this was what he wanted.
Yes, he wanted his money.
But he also wanted to remain with the Colts.
Early Friday, he got his wish.
Brackett, an eight-year veteran and the Colts' team captain since 2006, re-signed with the Colts, the club announced Friday. Terms and duration were not disclosed, but reports are that Brackett signed a five-year, $33 million deal with a $12 million signing bonus.
“I wanted to stay here,” Brackett said early Friday afternoon at the Colts' training facility. “I really feel like we have some unfinished business. We went to the Super Bowl this year, and kind of didn't get the job done. I feel like we were right there, and very competitive.
“Next year, I think it's the same thing over again.”
Chris Polian, the Colts' Vice President and General Manager, said from the start of the offseason, getting Brackett re-signed was “the No. 1 priority.”
“We've been fortunate enough to do so,” Polian said. “Throughout the whole process, it was very clear to us in our conversations with Gary and his representatives that Gary's true intent and real hope was to stay as a Colt. Both parties were able to work toward that end and get that deal done.”
Brackett, who signed with the Colts as a free agent rookie from Rutgers shortly after the 2003 NFL Draft, played extensively as a backup for two seasons, then moved into the starting lineup in 2005. He has developed into one of the team's most-reliable, popular players.
Brackett, who has started 73 of 103 career games, has 674 career tackles, with 11 interceptions, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He had 115 tackles in 2009, which was second on the team.
“I knew it was almost certainly going to take up to March 5, just so we could negotiate and get to a win-win situation,” Brackett said.
Brackett said he spoke Friday morning with Cato June and David Thornton, each of whom began their careers as linebackers with the Colts before signing elsewhere as free agents.
“They congratulated me,” Brackett said. “I'm honored to be one of those lucky guys to be able to stay and finish my career here with the Colts. It's just a testament to how they view me as a player, not only on the field, but what I bring to the team in the locker room sense.
“This is a great place to play. If you have a chance to stay a Colt for life, you usually jump at it. That's why I wanted to do everything within my power and reason to make this my home.”
And while Brackett said negotiations lasted late into Thursday night, “I knew deep down where I wanted to be.”
“I knew we were close to getting something done,” he said. “It took a little bit after that to secure a deal, but we got something done. We're happy and we got it taken care of. . . .
“It's been a long road. I've definitely been through a lot, not only on the field field, but off the field. Having the opportunity to reach the pinnacle of your career – to be in your prime, to be rewarded for all the hard work you endured – I guess when I retire I can look back and say, 'I guess I accomplished a lot in my career.'''
COLTS FREE AGENCY: PLAYER BY PLAYER BREAKDOWN. HERE.
DEPARTURE OF BROCK, JACKSON SHOWS REALITY OF NFL. HERE.
NEWS: RAHEEM BROCK TWEETS THAT COLTS CAREER IS OVER. HERE
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE
THE QUARTERBACKS. HERE.
THE RUNNING BACKS. HERE
THE WIDE RECEIVERS. HERE.
THE TIGHT ENDS. HERE.
REPORT: COLTS TO MAKE BRACKETT AMONG HIGHEST-PAID LINEBACKERS. HERE
COLTS ADDING TURNER AS ASSISTANT COACH. HERE.
DAILY DIGESTS:
COLTS C JEFF SATURDAY ON COLTS PRESIDENT BILL POLIAN'S POST-SUPER BOWL OL COMMENTS. HERE
BILL POLIAN WEIGHS IN ON NFL DRAFT. HERE
SUNDAY DIGEST: TOM MOORE. HERE.
WRAPPING UP POST-SUPER BOWL TALK: HERE
A REFRESHINGLY ACCURATE READ ON PEYTON MANNING. HERE
ON TEAM OF DECADE AND ED JOHNSON. HERE
A LOOK AT THE GARY BRACKETT NEGOTIATIONS. HERE.
ON THE DOUBLE-AGENT THEORY. HERE
TAG OR NO TAG, SIGNING BRACKETT RIGHT MOVE. HERE
THURSDAY SCOUTING COMBINE. HERE
CASSERLY: BEST DRAFT CLASS IN 30 YEARS. HERE
OFFSEASON PRIMERS:
THE QUARTERBACKS. HERE.
THE RUNNING BACKS. HERE.
THE WIDE RECEIVERS. HERE.
THE TIGHT ENDS. HERE.
THE OFFENSIVE TACKLES. HERE
THE OFFENSIVE GUARDS. HERE
THE CENTERS. HERE
MORE COLTS NEWS
POLIAN: THE PAST IS PROLOGUE. HERE.
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