The Denver Broncos are signing right guard Quinn Meinerz to a four-year, $80 million contract extension, a source briefed on the deal confirmed Tuesday, locking up a key piece of the team’s reconfigured offensive line.
Meinerz, a third-round pick by Denver in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is coming off his best career season. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate after starting all 17 games and allowing the fifth-fewest pressures (23) among all guards with at least 1,000 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Can confirm the Broncos are signing right guard Quinn Meinerz to a four-year, $80 million extension, locking in a key member of the team’s offense.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) July 17, 2024
“Certainly, he’s a powerful, sticky run blocker. He does a lot of things extremely well,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said during minicamp in June. “I think he loves it. He loves the process, which is half the battle. So I love that he’s our right guard.”
The deal, which pays Meinerz $20 million annually, makes him among the top five highest-paid players at his position. Randy Mueller, the former NFL GM and current personnel analyst at The Athletic, said Meinerz would have been among the top free agents in 2025 had he hit the market.
“I think he’s a better player than most realize. His strength and physicality along with his ability to engage his lower body to get movement at the point of attack on contact sets him apart,” Mueller said.
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. Sign up
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. Sign up
Buy
The extension for Meinerz comes after the Broncos handed big contracts last offseason to right tackle Mike McGlinchey and left guard Ben Powers. Investing heavily in the offensive line has always been a part of Sean Payton’s team-building philosophy, and locking up Meinerz took on added importance after the Broncos allowed veteran center Lloyd Cushenberry to leave in free agency.
Meinerz said during the offseason that he recognizes the responsibility Denver’s offensive line has in helping the unit be more efficient, especially as the team moves toward a future with rookie Bo Nix at quarterback.
“The biggest thing for our offensive line is having our continuity,” Meinerz said. “Because when we’re all going together, then things are going well for our offense.”
GO DEEPER
Quinn Meinerz and the heavy burden facing the Broncos offensive line in 2024
The deal with Meinerz, who has climbed from the Division III ranks to become one of the NFL’s best young players at his position, answers one of Denver’s big contract questions. Another big one looms in the form of All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II. The Broncos picked up the fifth-year option on Surtain’s rookie contract in March, setting him up to make $19.8 million in 2025, but he’s eligible for an extension and could command a top-of-the-market new deal.
Required reading
(Photo: Jamie Schwaberow / Getty)
