As if the preparing for the playoffs wasn’t enough, the Denver Broncos have apparently been getting a head start on their offseason to-do list, too.
For #Broncos DE Derek Wolfe, he gets $17.5M in guarantees on his 4-year, $36.7M deal ($9.175M average).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2016
Wolfe, along with Malik Jackson, Von Miller and Brock Osweiler, was high up on the list of soon-to-be free agents John Elway and the Broncos were going to be hoping to re-sign this offseason. After a breakout season, Wolfe was the first to lock down his future in Denver.
Derek Wolfe's developed into one of the top DLs in the NFL, and we're excited w/his 4-year extension. Proud of him!! pic.twitter.com/PrnOjsT7fV
— John Elway (@johnelway) January 15, 2016
At an average of $9.175 a year, that would make Wolfe the 10th highest paid defensive end in the NFL, just ahead of the Bills’ Jerry Hughes.
In 12 games this season, Wolfe tallied 5.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits and 26 quarterback pressures, earning him the third-highest defensive grade for the Broncos (27.4), per Pro Football Focus, only trailing Malik Jackson (27.5) and Von Miller (49.8).
The question now becomes: Will the Broncos double up by re-signing Jackson, too, or has it always been one or the other? Even with how great Wolfe has been this season, there’s a strong argument to be made that Jackson has been even better; meaning, he may be looking for more than just top-10 defensive end money.
Whatever happens down the line, though, this is a good deal for both the Broncos and Derek Wolfe.