Since Sean Payton took over as head coach in 2023, the Denver Broncos have focused on strengthening both their offensive and defensive lines. The team has made several moves to add depth and stability in these areas, including signing and extending contracts for key players.
On Wednesday, the Broncos signed defensive tackle Malcolm Roach to a three-year extension and center Luke Wattenberg to a four-year extension. This follows earlier efforts that brought in players like tackle Mike McGlinchey, guard Ben Powers, defensive lineman Zach Allen, and others through free agency or trades. The Broncos also extended contracts for guard Quinn Meinerz, outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper, tackle Garett Bolles, D.J. Jones, Allen again, and outside linebacker Nik Bonitto.
Head Coach Sean Payton explained the team’s approach: “I think it’s real important,” Payton said Wednesday of the investment in that group. “It’s not easy sometimes. You’re identifying traits. … I said this internally when I came here, I think really those two key position [groups] 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 the other things you want to do.”
All five of Denver’s starting offensive linemen for 2025 are now under contract for next season. The focus on continuity has resulted in strong performance metrics: Denver has allowed the second-fewest sacks in the NFL this season with quarterback Bo Nix being sacked only 12 times so far. The team also ranks among the top ten rushing offenses through eleven weeks.
“It’s a huge boost of confidence for us,” Wattenberg said of Denver’s continuity on the offensive line. “They invest in the trenches, like Sean always says, and I think it pays off for us.”
Wattenberg has started all eleven games this season and played every offensive snap at center. According to Next Gen Stats, he holds the second-lowest quarterback pressure rate among centers with at least 400 pass-blocking snaps this year.
“It’s a credit to Luke,” Payton said. “We lost a real good center to free agency a couple years ago [in Lloyd Cushenberry III]. Again, there’s a vision. [He’s a] good, young player, and it’s important to keep those guys in your building. I’ve been in a position where you’re trying to draft a center. It’s one of those unique positions. If you say in the draft, ‘We’re going to draft a center that we feel like can start Year 1,’ man, that becomes difficult. We’re excited for him.”
On defense, Denver’s improvements have been clear as well; they lead the league with 49 sacks through eleven games—the highest since the 1989 Vikings—and rank third against the run after finishing thirtieth just two seasons ago.
“I came in here,” Roach said Wednesday, “and they told me from the beginning, ‘We’ve got to stop the run better. We’ve got to do a better job in that.’ I said, ‘That’s something I can do. That’s something I know I can bring to the table, but I also know I can bring a great attitude every day.’ Just outside of football, I know I could bring a great mentality to this team.… It started coming together slowly last year, but this year I feel like it’s really clicking and we’re seeing the fruits of the labor.”
Denver now leads all NFL defenses with their average yards per carry allowed.
“His versatility,” Payton said of what stands out about Roach. “There’s a lot of things. His flexibility position-wise and then all the other things that he brings to the team, it was a good fit.”
Both Wattenberg and Roach expressed their desire to remain with Denver rather than test free agency—moves aligned with an organizational philosophy prioritizing strength at both lines.
The team’s focus on building up front is reflected not just in player signings but also performance stats: Denver currently leads all teams with its fourth-quarter point differential (+63) and yard differential (+503).
“The offensive line can kind of permeate the building, and then the defensive line, the way they’re playing including the outside ‘backers [is important],” Payton said. “It’s hard to find those type of players in free agency ever year or without paying a hefty fee. Keeping that continuity, I think is important.”
