Broncos Lock Down Center Luke Wattenberg with Major Contract Extension
On Tuesday, the Denver Broncos made headlines by extending starting center Luke Wattenberg’s contract for four years, valued at $48 million, with $27 million guaranteed. While some may have raised eyebrows at the deal, Broncos head coach Sean Payton viewed it as a strategic necessity to keep Wattenberg off the free-agent market next year.
“It’s good and I think it’s a credit to Luke,” Payton remarked to reporters on Wednesday. He added, “We lost a really good center in free agency a couple of years ago. Again, there is a vision. He’s a good, young player and it’s important to keep those guys in your building.”
The Importance of Retaining Talent
Payton’s comments reflect a deeper understanding of the challenges associated with finding a quality center in the draft. “If you say in the draft, ‘We’re going to draft a center that we feel like can start Year 1,’ that becomes difficult,” he noted. This insight reinforces the value of retaining a player like Wattenberg, who has quickly established himself as a key component of the offensive line.
Wattenberg, a fifth-round pick in 2022 from the previous coaching regime, has been the Broncos’ primary center since the start of last season. Over that period, he has appeared in 24 games, stepping in for former starter Lloyd Cushenberry, who moved to Tennessee in 2024.
Proven Performance on the Field
At 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, Wattenberg has not only solidified his starting role but has also contributed significantly to the offensive line’s success. According to Pro Football Focus, he currently ranks as the 20th center among 38 qualifiers, helping the Broncos’ offensive line allow the fewest sacks in the league—just 13—heading into Week 13.
Payton praised Wattenberg’s growth, stating, “His football IQ is really sharp. He’s athletic. He does a good job getting to the second level. He’s really improved in his protections. All of it, you just see the curve still going upwards.”
A Strengthened Offensive Line
With Wattenberg’s new contract finalized, the Broncos now have their entire offensive line secured for the foreseeable future. The lineup includes left tackle Garett Bolles, left guard Ben Powers, right guard Quinn Meinerz, right tackle Mike McGlinchey, and now Wattenberg as the anchor in the middle. This continuity is expected to play a crucial role in the team’s offensive strategies moving forward.
As the Broncos prepare for the remainder of the season, the focus will undoubtedly be on how this strengthened offensive line will impact their performance on the field, especially in the face of an always-competitive NFL landscape.
