Broncos show faith in their roster with trio of contract extensions after their big win over Chiefs

It began with kicker Wil Lutz agreeing to a three-year extension last week and continued this week with the Broncos signing center Luke Wattenberg to a four-year, $48 million extension and defensive tackle Malcolm Roach to a three-year deal worth up to $29.25 million.

That makes 10 players the Broncos have extended in the past 14 months, including edge rusher Nik Bonitto, defensive end Zach Allen and wide receiver Courtland Sutton during training camp last summer.

The Broncos have fortified their trenches with long-term deals for all their O-linemen and most of their D-linemen.

“It's real important,” coach Sean Payton said. "I said this internally when I came here, I think really those two key positions are so important. You're building your front on defense and on offense. If you don't pay attention to it, it becomes challenging to do a lot of other things you want to do.

“And so, the offensive line can kind of permeate the building. And then the defensive line, the way they're playing, including the outside ‘backer, it’s hard to find those types of players in free agency every year without paying a hefty fee. So, keeping that continuity is important.”

With the O-line now secured for several seasons, Wattenberg called it “a huge boost of confidence for us. They invest in the trenches like Sean always says, and I think it pays off.”

Wattenberg's deal includes $27 million in guarantees with an average annual salary of $12 million, and Roach's deal includes $14 million guaranteed.

The boost that in-season extensions provide the locker room is part of the equation when the Broncos' brain trust pursues those deals, Payton confirmed.

“Yeah, we just finished playing that song, ‘Money, money, money.' Guys want to see other guys have success and also be financially well off," Payton said.

Lutz said he told the team in training camp that he wanted to stay in Denver long term, but wasn't expecting to get a deal done until after the season.

“Yes, I was a little surprised," said Lutz, who was golfing when his agent called to tell him the Broncos wanted to get a deal done now. "We’re grateful for this opportunity and for them to put faith in me at this point in the year, when we still have a lot of football left, means a lot. But at the end of the day, nothing changes. We’re still trying to move this thing forward and win football games.”

The Broncos (9-2) visit the Washington Commanders (3-8) Sunday night.

They might have two of their big defensive stars back for the game as reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II (strained pectoral) and leading tackler Alex Singleton (testicular cancer surgery) both returned to practice Wednesday.

"This was kind of a target game” for both of them to return, Payton said.

Singleton had nine tackles against the Raiders in Week 10 a few days after an NFL-mandated drug test detected cancer. He underwent surgery the next day and missed the Chiefs game.

Roach called him “Superman" because "he played with a torn ACL (last year), then he played with cancer.”

“I wouldn't say that,” insisted Singleton. “I would just say the doctors ... they've been the best. They've been the reason I've been able to come back fast from everything.”

Singleton couldn't stop smiling Wednesday after getting back on the practice field.

“The ACL was enough to appreciate it. I don't know if I needed this,” he said. "But you definitely appreciate the little things. So, yeah, I love this game. Practice was the best. I just enjoy being out there.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL