Denver Broncos center Luke Wattenberg has agreed to a four-year, $48 million contract extension that includes $27 million guaranteed, keeping him in Denver through the 2029 season, according to a report from 9NEWS. The deal comes before the fourth-year lineman was set to hit free agency after this year and continues the Broncos’ plan to keep their offensive line together long term.
Broncos Reward Luke Wattenberg With Long-Term Deal
Per 9NEWS, the Broncos reached the agreement with Wattenberg on November 25, locking up a player who has gone from fringe contributor to core starter in just a couple of seasons. The 2022 fifth-round pick out of Washington started only one game in his first two years and was benched before halftime of that lone start after struggling at left guard against Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, according to 9NEWS.
Instead of fading from the rotation, Wattenberg rebuilt his role. He won a training camp battle for the starting center job in 2024 and quickly emerged as a stabilizing presence in the middle of Denver’s offensive line. Internally, he’s viewed as the “glue” of a front five the Broncos consider one of the best — and one of the highest-paid — units in the NFL, according to 9NEWS.
The extension reflects how much the organization values that turnaround. By giving Wattenberg a multi-year deal with significant guarantees, the Broncos are signaling they view his development at center as sustainable and central to what they want to be on offense. Wattenberg has started 24 consecutive games in which he’s played.
In 2025, with Wattenberg starting every game at center, the Broncos have allowed just 13 sacks through 11 games, the second-fewest in the NFL, while ranking top-10 in both rushing yards per game (122.3) and yards per carry (4.6). Pro Football Focus’ 2025 grades have Wattenberg 14th out of 38 qualifying centers in both pass-blocking (65.5) and run-blocking (68.4), putting him firmly in the upper third of the league at his position as Denver’s offensive line anchors a 9-2 start.
Denver has steadily poured resources into the line in recent years. Left tackle Garett Bolles and right guard Quinn Meinerz are homegrown draft picks who have each received lucrative extensions. Left guard Ben Powers and right tackle Mike McGlinchey arrived as big-ticket free-agent signings before the 2023 season.
Now, with Wattenberg extended, all five starters are under contract through the 2026 season.
What Luke Wattenberg’s Extension Means for the Broncos
The most immediate impact of Wattenberg’s new deal is continuity. The Broncos know their starting five up front will remain together for multiple years, giving the coaching staff a consistent foundation for both the passing game and the ground attack.
For the front office, this move takes one more potential headache off a future offseason to-do list. Quality centers who can handle protection calls, manage traffic inside and keep a line organized are always in demand. Letting Wattenberg reach the open market would have risked a bidding war with center-needy teams. Instead, Denver gets ahead of that scenario by striking early.
The extension also reinforces how the Broncos intend to build: invest heavily in the offensive line and rely on continuity rather than constant turnover. That approach can pay off in communication, especially in loud road environments where silent counts and split-second adjustments matter.
Inside the locker room, Wattenberg’s journey sends its own message. A mid-round pick who struggled early and was benched in his first real shot has now been rewarded after winning a starting job and steadily improving. It’s the kind of progression teams like to point to when they preach development.
Wattenberg is also the second key piece to get a new deal in recent days, joining kicker Wil Lutz as Broncos who have signed extensions in the past four days.
Contract & O-Line Context Going Forward
While the exact year-by-year cap hits will depend on the structure, the $48 million total and $27 million guaranteed underline Denver’s willingness to keep paying premium prices to protect its quarterback and power its run game.
With Bolles, Powers, Meinerz, McGlinchey and now Wattenberg all signed through 2026 — and Wattenberg extended to 2029 — the Broncos are positioned to avoid major offensive line overhauls for the foreseeable future and can focus upcoming offseasons on other spots on the roster.
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