The Denver Broncos made a splash on Wednesday by giving star cornerback Pat Surtain a four-year, $96 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history. Surtain still had two years left on his existing deal, so he is now signed through the 2029 season.
Denver also gave a four-year, $80 million extension to offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz this summer, making him the third-highest-paid guard in the league. Meinerz had one year left on his old deal, so he is now signed through the 2028 season.
In a three-month span, the Broncos secured their two best players on deals that will keep them under contract together for the next five years. Coincidentally — or perhaps intentionally — that is also how long rookie quarterback Bo Nix is under contract in Denver.
As a first-round draft pick, Nix received a four-year, $18.6 million deal that includes a fifth-year option for the 2028 season.
So the Broncos will have their two best players under contract for the duration of Nix’s team-friendly rookie deal. Denver now has a window to make some noise early in Nix’s career. Let’s see if they can take advantage of it.