The Denver Broncos moved quickly to shore up a key lingering piece of business during their bye week, delivering more good news for kicker Wil Lutz.
Lutz is one of several players on the Broncos’ roster who have previous ties to head coach Sean Payton from shared time with the New Orleans Saints. He and the coach share a strong connection that has manifested in notable ways on gamedays.
Lutz has touted that bond, and the deal ensures that it will not be changing anytime soon.
Broncos Agree to Extension With K Wil Lutz
GettyWil Lutz could have a new long snapper after the Denver Broncos re-signed Zach Triner.
Lutz is coming off a game-winning performance in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs that already drew recognition. Now, he is back in the news after the Broncos secured his services for the foreseeable future.
“The #Broncos and kicker Wil Lutz have agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension through 2028, per @tompelissero and me,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on November 21. “Coming off AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after going 5-of-5 with the game-winner against the Chiefs, Lutz leads the NFL with four game-winning kicks this year for the 9-2 Broncos.”
According to 9News’ Mike Klis, the deal makes Lutz the ninth-highest-paid kicker this season with a $3.9 million salary.
Lutz is 17 of 20 on field goals and 24 for 24 on extra points this season.
“Can’t overstate how important an elite kicker is for potential Super Bowl teams. Wil Lutz is an elite kicker,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens posted on X on November 21 in reaction to the deal. “And Sean Payton LOVES him.”
Over the past two-plus seasons, spent with the Broncos, Lutz ranks second in field goal percentage among the 23 kickers with at least as many attempts (88), per Stathead.
Week 10 marked his third walk-off field goal of the campaign.
“Well-deserved extension as Sean Payton’s kicker of choice since New Orleans,” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans said in a post on X on November 21, joining the chorus of support for the deal on both sides.
Wil Lutz on Sean Payton
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Payton drew attention for his on-field instructions to Lutz in an earlier game-winner. It was during the Broncos’ Week 9 win over the Houston Texans. As Lutz walked onto the field, Payton told him to kick it “right through” the uprights, to which the 2023 Pro Bowl kicker nodded.
Against the Chiefs, Payton could be seen celebrating the game-winner before it occurred.
“Yep, right at me,” Lutz said in a post on X on November 17. “And I did it right back. Love everything about this team [horse head emoji].”
Lutz, who said he knew the kick would be good immediately, also spoke candidly about getting this one after having his try blocked during the Broncos’ Week 10 matchup against the Chiefs last season.
During that game, Lutz had his potential game-winning kick blocked in the 16-14 loss.
Wil Lutz Gets Honest About Chiefs Game
GettyWil Lutz #3 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after his game winning field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Broncos defeated the Chiefs in Week 18 last season, but that was against KC’s reserves as they rested their starters for the postseason. There were no doubts about what this matchup against the Chiefs meant for the Broncos.
The same is true about what this game meant for Lutz, the former undrafted free agent out of Georgia State who is in his 10th NFL season.
Lutz said he had “been waiting for a game like that.”
“We haven’t kicked a ton of field goals this year, which is not always a bad thing,” Lutz said on November 16. “It’s hard to get in a rhythm because we kick one or two field goals a game. I’ve been waiting for a game like that. It was nice to play a big part in it.”
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