WESTFIELD, Ind. – If you see Kwity Paye at a hot yoga or pilates class in the Indianapolis area this football season, don't be surprised.
Why? Because the Colts defensive end doesn't really see much difference between the football season and the offseason. So since he did hot yoga and pilates in the offseason, there's a chance he'll continue doing so even as games begin.
After all, he's coming off the best offseason of his NFL career.
"It was a great offseason for me mentally (and) physically," Paye said in a press conference after the Colts' first training camp practice on Thursday. "I'm just ready to go, I'm excited to go, I'm ready to get out there and play."
Paye has good reason to be excited; he knows his team believes in him. In May, the Colts elected to exercise the fifth-year option on Paye's rookie contract, ensuring the 2021 first-round pick would remain with the team through the 2025 season.
For a defensive end who was already coming off career highs in the 2023 season in games played (16), sacks (8.5), tackles (52) and forced fumbles (2), the reassurance that his efforts were being recognized only fueled him further.
"Motivation went through the roof, confidence went through the roof," Paye said. "They picked up my fifth-year for a reason."
The Colts believed Paye had another level he could reach. Now, he wants to make good on that expectation.
"I'm not just out here to be another guy, so I've got to elevate my game," Paye said. "That's why I went into the offseason thinking man, I've got to make sure I'm prepared, I'm ready to go, I'm ready to give it my all and just go out there and be the best d-end that I can be for this team and for myself, honestly."
That's why Paye did four or five workouts per day in the offseason. That's why he did extra cardio and gave his all during every lift and drill. That's why he put in the work to lose 15 pounds.
"I just want to make sure I'm on the field as much as I can," he said. "I just feel good right now, like I didn't need to have all that weight. And I'm still as strong as I was before, and that was my main objective."
The defensive lineman weighed in at 265 pounds last season and said he could feel the weight late in games. He felt heavy, and he knew he could be performing better than he was. Now, at a lighter weight, Paye is confident he will be much more effective on the field in just about every facet of the game
It wasn't just physical strength Paye worked on in the offseason, though. His mentality was trained just as much as his body was. From sticking to a diet to forming a consistent schedule, Paye didn't really give himself a break. For him, it wasn't an offseason. It was a time to just keep improving.
"That's when the season starts," he explained.
So, as the football season approaches, Paye doesn't plan on switching up what he's been doing. His personal goal for the 2024 season is to be dominant during every play. To do so, he's going to follow his diet, push himself in practices and do everything he can to get better each day.
And that just might include doing pilates and hot yoga.
