In-Season Extensions for Starters by the Denver Broncos

In the high-stakes world of the NFL, in-season extensions for starters are a strategic chess move—and the Denver Broncos have mastered this tactic in 2025, locking up key core players mid-season to secure their future while maintaining the momentum of a playoff push. Unlike off-season extensions, which focus on long-term roster building, in-season deals are designed to reward players performing at an elite level, prevent contract distractions, and signal to the locker room that the team is invested in winning now and later. For the Broncos, who entered 2025 with a handful of starters in the final year of their contracts, these extensions have been critical: they’ve kept star talent off the free-agent market, boosted team morale, and solidified the foundation of a roster built to compete in the AFC West for years. In-Season Extensions for Starters by the Denver Broncos thus breaks down how these mid-season deals have become a cornerstone of the Broncos’ success, blending short-term competitiveness with long-term vision.

The Broncos’ 2025 in-season extension strategy began with a clear priority: locking up defensive starters who were driving the team’s top-5 defensive performance. The first deal came in Week 6, when the Broncos signed edge rusher Nik Bonitto to a five-year, \(95 million extension with \)60 million guaranteed. Bonitto, who entered the season in the final year of his rookie contract, had emerged as a pass-rush force—recording 8 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in the first five games. The extension not only rewarded his breakout play but also prevented him from testing free agency, where he likely would have commanded a bidding war from teams needing edge help. “Nik is exactly the kind of player we want to build around,” said Broncos general manager George Paton. “He’s young, he’s improving every year, and he’s a leader in our locker room. Locking him up mid-season lets him focus on winning, not his contract.” The deal also included performance-based incentives (e.g., Pro Bowl selections, sack milestones) that keep Bonitto motivated while giving the Broncos cap flexibility if he underperforms. In-Season Extensions for Starters by the Denver Broncos thus frames Bonitto’s extension as a model for how in-season deals can align player and team interests.

A week after Bonitto’s extension, the Broncos turned their attention to the offensive line—signing left tackle Garett Bolles to a four-year, \(80 million extension with \)45 million guaranteed. Bolles, a 2020 Pro Bowler, had been playing at an elite level in 2025: he’d allowed just 1 sack in the first six games and graded 82.1 in run blocking (per Pro Football Focus), making him a critical piece of the Broncos’ top-10 rushing offense. For the Broncos, extending Bolles was about more than retaining a standout tackle—it was about protecting quarterback Russell Wilson and preserving the run game’s success. “The offensive line is the backbone of our offense, and Garett is the anchor of that line,” said head coach Sean Payton. “Extending him mid-season ensures we don’t have to rebuild the left side of our line next year, which is huge for continuity.” Bolles’ deal also reflected the Broncos’ commitment to valuing positional importance: while left tackles often get overshadowed by skill-position players, the Broncos recognized that Bolles’ ability to shut down elite edge rushers was just as critical to winning as a star wide receiver. In-Season Extensions for Starters by the Denver Broncos thus highlights how the Broncos’ extensions prioritize positional need and on-field impact over headline appeal.

The Denver Broncos’ in-season extensions have also had a profound impact on team morale and locker room culture—turning individual success into collective confidence. After Bonitto and Bolles signed their deals, the Broncos won four straight games, with players citing the extensions as a catalyst for their momentum. “When you see guys who’ve worked hard get rewarded, it makes you want to play harder for the team,” said running back Javonte Williams. “It shows the front office believes in us, and that makes a difference on Sundays.” The extensions have also reduced contract-related distractions: before signing, Bonitto had acknowledged that contract talks were “in the back of my mind,” but after the deal, he focused solely on football—recording 3 sacks in the next two games. For the Broncos, this mental clarity has been invaluable: in a season where every game in the AFC West is a battle, having players focused on the field (not their future) has been a key advantage. The Denver Broncos’ front office has also made a point to involve the coaching staff in extension talks, ensuring that deals reward players who embody Payton’s “team-first” culture. In-Season Extensions for Starters by the Denver Broncos thus underscores how these mid-season deals are as much about building culture as they are about retaining talent.

The Denver Broncos’ in-season extensions have been made possible by smart salary cap management—a balancing act that lets the team reward star players without sacrificing short-term competitiveness. To create cap space for the extensions, the Broncos used a combination of contract restructurings (converting base salary into signing bonuses for veterans like defensive tackle D.J. Jones) and leveraging the NFL’s “voidable year” rule (adding a dummy year to extensions to spread cap costs over more seasons). For example, Bonitto’s extension includes a voidable 2031 year that pushes \(10 million of his 2025 cap hit into future years, giving the Broncos an extra \)8 million in cap space to sign mid-season additions (like defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, acquired via trade in Week 8). “Cap management is about creativity,” said Broncos salary cap analyst Mike Bluem. “We don’t want to punish future teams with bad deals, but we also want to win now. In-season extensions let us do both—reward players for current performance while structuring deals to keep us competitive long-term.” The Denver Broncos’ cap strategy has also included setting aside “extension reserves” in the off-season—money earmarked specifically for mid-season deals—ensuring they’re not caught off guard by a player’s breakout year. In-Season Extensions for Starters by the Denver Broncos thus shows how financial planning has turned in-season extensions from a luxury into a strategic necessity.

Looking ahead, the Denver Broncos plan to continue their in-season extension strategy with two more key starters: safety Justin Simmons and linebacker Alex Singleton, both of whom are in the final year of their contracts. Simmons, a four-time Pro Bowler and the Broncos’ defensive signal-caller, has recorded 4 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles in 2025, while Singleton leads the team with 95 tackles and has emerged as a locker room leader. Paton has hinted that extensions for both players could come by Week 10, ensuring they’re locked up before the playoff push intensifies. “Justin and Alex are the heart and soul of our defense,” Paton said. “Extending them mid-season will keep our defense intact and send a message to the league that we’re serious about winning now and in the future.” For the Broncos, these extensions aren’t just about retaining talent—they’re about building a legacy: a roster where star players want to stay in Denver, where continuity breeds success, and where every mid-season deal is a step toward a Super Bowl. The Denver Broncos’ in-season extension strategy has proven that in the NFL, winning isn’t just about what happens on the field—it’s about planning ahead, valuing your best players, and turning short-term opportunities into long-term success. In-Season Extensions for Starters by the Denver Broncos thus concludes by emphasizing that these mid-season deals are more than contracts; they’re a commitment to excellence—one that will define the Broncos’ franchise for years to come.