The Denver Broncos have been on a mission in 2025 - not just on the field, but in the front office. Over the past six months, they’ve methodically locked up key pieces of their core, and now they’ve added a fourth name to the list.
Center Luke Wattenberg has officially joined the club, agreeing to a four-year, $48 million extension that puts him in elite company among NFL centers. That deal ties him with Erik McCoy as the sixth-highest paid center in the league - not bad for a guy who wasn’t even a full-time starter until last season.
Wattenberg’s Rise: From Solid Starter to Core Piece
Wattenberg’s new deal is more than just a payday - it’s a statement. He stepped into a starting role in 2024 and hasn’t looked back.
Through 2025, he’s been a steady presence on the offensive line, starting every game and anchoring the interior with a consistency that’s hard to ignore. His durability and performance have made him a key part of Denver’s offensive identity, and the Broncos clearly see him as a foundational piece moving forward.
Before the season, projections had Wattenberg in the ballpark of $8 million per year - a solid number for a young center with limited starting experience. But as the season wore on, his value climbed.
His play this year has boosted his profile and his price tag, and the Broncos responded accordingly. The new deal comes in at $12 million annually - a 50% bump over those early projections.
That kind of leap isn’t just about stats; it’s about trajectory. Wattenberg’s 2025 campaign may not be flashy in the box score, but his consistent play, clean snaps, and ability to hold up in both run and pass protection have made him one of the more reliable centers in the league this season.
The Market Context: Wattenberg vs. Cushenberry
To understand Wattenberg’s deal, it helps to look at the market. The most relevant comp heading into the season was Ted Karras’ 2022 contract: three years, $18 million - or $6 million per year.
Wattenberg’s new deal doubles that figure. And while it’s still shy of Lloyd Cushenberry’s $12.5 million per year deal with the Titans, the gap is understandable.
Cushenberry entered free agency with a few cards Wattenberg didn’t have. He had a higher draft pedigree - which, fair or not, still carries weight in NFL front offices - and a longer track record with nearly 2.5 times as many career snaps.
He also had a reputation as a more dominant run blocker. That said, Wattenberg’s deal reflects his own upward momentum and the belief that his best football is still ahead of him.
The Broncos’ Contract Blueprint: Long-Term Control, Low Risk
What’s especially interesting is how the Broncos are structuring these deals. Wattenberg’s extension follows a clear pattern the team has used with other recent signings - including Zach Allen (4 years, $102M), Courtland Sutton (4 years, $92M), and Nik Bonitto (4 years, $106M). All of these contracts include a fourth year that reportedly carries no guaranteed money - effectively giving Denver a team-friendly option year at the back end of each deal.
In today’s NFL, where the salary cap is expected to continue rising - potentially reaching $375 million by 2029 - that strategy could pay off in a big way. For example, Allen, Sutton, and Bonitto are all slated to earn between $25.5 million and $26.5 million in 2029.
As a percentage of a ballooning cap, those numbers could look like bargains, even as Allen and Sutton enter their 30s. In today’s dollars, those salaries translate to less than $20 million per year - a relative steal for high-impact players.
These extra, unguaranteed years give the Broncos flexibility. If a player continues to perform, they keep him at a below-market rate.
If not, they can move on with no cap penalty. It’s a smart hedge, and it’s becoming a clear signature of Denver’s front office approach.
A Front Office on a Hot Streak
The Broncos aren’t just drafting well or making splashy free-agent signings - they’re following up with savvy, forward-thinking contract extensions that give them long-term control without locking them into bad deals. That’s not easy to pull off in a league where cap space can disappear in a hurry.
Wattenberg’s extension is the latest example of how Denver is building not just for today, but for the seasons to come. By rewarding their own - and structuring deals that protect the team’s future - the Broncos are setting themselves up to stay competitive in an increasingly cutthroat AFC.
In a year where much of the attention has gone to the stars, Wattenberg’s quiet rise and well-earned extension serve as a reminder: championship teams are built in the trenches - and Denver is making sure theirs is built to last.