The topic of a Broncos extension for GM George Paton has come up a few times this offseason. The Vikings were briefly connected to an attempt to reunite with the former Minnesota exec, but for the most part, Paton has been more closely tied to a Broncos re-up. Sean Payton said that should be expected, and CEO Greg Penner followed suit this week by indicating (via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson) he is “sure we’ll get that sorted out.” As for Paton, he would like a second Broncos contract as well. His six-year deal expires after the 2026 season.
“We’ll get there,” Paton said, via 9News’ Mike Klis. “Love it here. Love the ownership. Sean. We’ve got one of the best coaches in the league, best ownership. We have a really good team. So I’m happy to be here.”
Although Paton was at the helm for three poor decisions in 2022 — the Nathaniel Hackett hire, the Russell Wilson trade and the QB’s subsequent extension that caused a then-record-setting dead money hit two years later — he survived that and led the charge in building a contender around Bo Nix. Payton has taken over as the head honcho in Denver, but the GM has done well to time Broncos extensions to bring value. Six of the Broncos’ original-ballot Pro Bowlers last season were extended in 2024 or 2025, with Quinn Meinerz paid before his first All-Pro slate and Patrick Surtain re-upped before his Defensive Player of the Year campaign. While the Vikings have not yet launched their GM search, it would surprise if the Broncos and Paton did not work out a deal soon (Minnesota would need Denver permission to speak with Paton about its GM vacancy).
Here is the latest from the AFC West:
- The Broncos re-signed a host of regulars last month, bringing back the likes of Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, Adam Trautman, Sam Ehlinger and Alex Palczewski. Atop Payton’s list of retention priorities, however, stood J.K. Dobbins. “Ahead of all others,” Payton said (via the Denver Post’s Luca Evans). “Now, that’ll anger people. We know he’s been injured. We understand. And the issues haven’t been soft tissue-driven. But he’s someone that’s one of those, compound multipliers. Like, he brings 10 others along with him, in a positive light.” Dobbins, 27, suffered a Lisfranc injury on a hip-drop tackle last November. Paton said he would have played in the Super Bowl had the Broncos managed to upset the Patriots without Nix. Dobbins expressed interest in a Broncos extension before his injury and was a top-five rusher when he went down. Denver sprang for a much bigger guarantee ($8MM) compared to 2025 ($2.1MM) and will bet on one of the NFL’s most injury-prone players once again.
- Denver also worked out a revised deal to keep another regular, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson indicating Matt Peart accepted a pay cut to stay. The veteran swing tackle is now tied to a one-year, $2MM deal with $755K guaranteed. Peart was Denver’s first choice to replace left guard Ben Powers, but the backup — previously tied to a two-year, $7MM pact — suffered a knee injury in his only start. That led Palczewski into the lineup, and the latter is back on a two-year deal worth $9.5MM.
- Quentin Johnston came up as a trade candidate last month, but ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim notes the Chargers — despite the TCU product being a Tom Telesco draftee — still believe in the former first-round wideout. Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz regularly praise Johnston, who has led the Bolts in TD receptions in each of the past two seasons, though they did draft Tre Harris in last year’s second round to complement Ladd McConkey. One season remains on Johnston’s rookie deal, with the Bolts having until May 1 to decide on a fifth-year option that costs $18MM. That is a lofty guarantee given the investments in McConkey and Harris, and Rhim notes the right trade offer could change the Bolts’ mind here.
- We heard in March the Raiders‘ succession plan involves minority owner Egon Durban having the first crack to buy a controlling stake — though, Mark Davis has not intention of selling right now — and SI.com’s Albert Breer adds that Durban is slated to buy another 7% of the Raiders this year. Durban already owns 7.5% of the franchise. The NFL approved Durbin’s stake increase this week, per ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder. Davis has said this will change nothing about the way the franchise is run.