The Denver Broncos have locked down their kicker position for at least the next three seasons. On Friday, the team announced a three-year contract extension for Wil Lutz.
Lutz has been the only kicker the team has had since Sean Payton took over as head coach in 2023. After experimenting with guys like Elliott Fry and Brett Maher that summer, the team traded a seventh-round pick in the 2024 draft to Payton's former team, the New Orleans Saints, in exchange for Lutz.
In his time with the Broncos, Lutz has made 88.6 percent of his field goals while connecting on 99 of his 101 extra point attempts. Lutz has proven to be dependable and that has led to a well-earned contract extension.
The Broncos have done a fabulous job this season in retaining talent, handing new deals to Courtland Sutton, Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto. The Broncos have clearly opened a Super Bowl window as the AFC's No. 1 seed through 11 weeks and the organization should do all that it can to keep the majority of this group together.
There are several other key players set to hit free agency this offseason and while it's not possible to keep everyone, the Broncos should consider new contracts for at least one of the following players, if at all possible.
What should be the Denver Broncos' next contract extension after new deal for Wil Lutz?
John Franklin-Myers, DL
The Broncos have arguably the best defense in the NFL led by an unwavering pass rush and a stout secondary. But one of the guys who gets lost in the shuffle of stars is defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers.
The New York Jets basically gave the Broncos Franklin-Myers last offseason, asking for only a sixth-round pick in return. In his first season with the Broncos, he registered seven sacks. This year, he already has 4.5.
If the Broncos choose not to bring him back, or it's deemed too expensive to do so, there are going to be several teams vying for his services in free agency next year.
The Broncos may have to fanagle some things or re-work some other players' contracts to create the space to re-sign him, but it should be highly encouraged that George Paton find a way to make that happen.
J.K. Dobbins, RB
Last season, J.K. Dobbins was lost for a month to a knee injury late in the season. His absence greatly impacted the Los Angeles Chargers' rushing attack in a negative way, and the same thing threatens to hamper the Broncos this year.
The Broncos will move forward with the trio of RJ Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie, but there won't be a clear-cut direction for the running game heading into 2026, regardless of how this season turns out.
Though Dobbins has had trouble staying on the field throughout his career, he is a big addition when he's healthy. He was having a great season for the Broncos and was fifth in the NFL in rushing yards prior to suffering a foot injury in Week 10.
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The Chargers curiously chose not to re-sign Dobbins in the offseason. The Broncos should not make that same mistake. They signed Dobbins to a one-year deal this past June and should extend that for at least one more season.
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