The Denver Broncos signed an extension with the guy who might be their most clutch player, inking kicker Wil Lutz to a three-year extension, according to an AP story via ESPN.
Lutz has earned the extra years and dollars and then some. He signed the deal during the bye week, and the extension will keep him in a Broncos uniform through 2028.
"First off, he's earned it," coach Sean Payton said Monday after the Broncos (9-2) bye week as they prepare to go on the road to play the Washington Commanders on Sunday night.
Terms of the extension weren’t revealed, but Lutz is making $3.9 million this season. Payton met with GM George Paton over the bye week to discuss the futures of several Broncos players, with Lutz prominent among them.
"The key is not affecting the mojo or how your team's doing, I'm always sensitive to that, especially when you're playing well," Payton said. "Because sometimes those can be difficult discussions.
"But we were able to get Wil done. There's a couple other players that we've reached out to, and I think the key is the communication aspect of it all. But he's played well, he's consistent and I think he's got the respect of the locker room. Like all kickers, there's ups and downs, but he's been a great addition for us."
Lutz received his extension after earning AFC special teams playersof the week for his 5-for-5 field goal performance in the Broncos’ 22-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
But Lutz has had plenty of other heroics this season. He was named special teams player of the month back in October, and he received that same honor back in November of 2023. He’s made 17 of 20 field goals this year and converted all 24 of his extra points, giving him a total of 75 points for the season.
Game-winning field goals have been his specialty this year, though. In addition to his recent walk-off kick against the Chiefs, he also won games against the New York Giants and Houston Texans in a similar fashion.
Payton understood the importance of finding a reliable kicker right off the bat in Denver. He cycled through a lot of kickers during his previous run with the New Orleans Saints, and one of the first things Payton did when he took the Denver job was acquire Lutz from the Saints back in 2023.
Their relationship has continue to develop as Payton has put his program in place, and Lutz is now a vital part of Denver’s winning formula.
"I think it's good to always be someone's guy in this league," Lutz said. "Sean and I have won a lot of games together. We've hit some big kicks together. I think it's just understanding each other. He knows how to kind of get me in the right place. I know how to work under him.
"It's just a trust thing, right? I'm just grateful, nine out of my ten seasons have been with him and my one bad year wasn't with him. So, I wouldn't say that's why, but yeah, we know how to work with each other and our success together has been fun."