Wil Lutz's Contract Extension Boosts the Denver Broncos

In the high-stakes world of NFL roster building, few positions fly under the radar like kicker—until a missed field goal or extra point costs a team a win. For the Denver Broncos, this reality made Wil Lutz’s contract extension in the 2024 offseason one of the most impactful moves of their offseason. After a standout 2023 campaign that saw Lutz stabilize a kicking position that had been inconsistent for years, the Broncos locked him down with a four-year, $20 million deal—a commitment that goes beyond just retaining a talented player. Wil Lutz's Contract Extension Boosts the Denver Broncos explores how this move has solidified the team’s special teams unit, provided reliability in critical scoring moments, and given the Broncos a key piece to build their playoff aspirations around.

Wil Lutz's Contract Extension Boosts the Denver Broncos begins with the context of the Broncos’ kicking struggles before Lutz’s arrival—a history that makes his extension even more meaningful. From 2020 to 2022, the Broncos cycled through four different kickers, including Brandon McManus, Taylor Bass, and Brett Maher. During that stretch, Denver’s field goal conversion rate ranked 28th in the NFL (76.8%), and missed kicks cost them at least three games—including a Week 12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, where a late missed 45-yard field goal sealed a 22–16 defeat. When the Broncos signed Lutz to a one-year deal in 2023, it was a low-risk move aimed at fixing a persistent problem. Lutz exceeded all expectations: he converted 90.2% of his field goals (37 of 41), including 8 of 10 from 50+ yards, and made all 33 of his extra point attempts. His performance ranked him third among NFL kickers in overall accuracy that season, turning a weakness into a strength. “Wil didn’t just fill a spot—he became a difference-maker,” said Broncos special teams coordinator Mike Mallory. “After years of uncertainty, having a kicker we could trust every week changed everything for us.” The extension, then, was a no-brainer: it ensured the Broncos wouldn’t return to the chaos of rotating kickers and kept a player who had already proven his value.

A defining reason the extension boosts the Broncos is Lutz’s ability to deliver in high-pressure moments—a trait that has already paid dividends in close games. One of the most memorable examples of this came in Week 15 of the 2023 season, when the Broncos faced the Kansas City Chiefs with a playoff spot on the line. Trailing 24–23 with 12 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Broncos drove to the Chiefs’ 27-yard line, setting up a 45-yard field goal attempt. The snow was falling, and the wind was gusting at 15 mph—less-than-ideal conditions for any kicker. But Lutz stepped up, calmly knocking the kick through the uprights to give the Broncos a 26–24 win. It was the kind of moment that Broncos fans had been waiting for years: a kicker who didn’t flinch when the game was on the line. “Wil has ice in his veins,” said Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson after the game. “When that moment comes, you never doubt him. He’s the guy you want out there.” Lutz’s clutch performances weren’t limited to that game, either: in 2023, he made 7 of 7 field goal attempts in the fourth quarter of one-score games, a perfect record that helped the Broncos finish 9–8 and narrowly miss the playoffs. With his extension, the Broncos know they have a kicker who can win games for them when it matters most.

A key way Wil Lutz's Contract Extension Boosts the Denver Broncos is the stability it provides to the team’s special teams unit—a foundation that allows the Denver Broncos to plan their offense and defense with greater confidence. Special teams are often called the “third phase” of the game, and a reliable kicker impacts every aspect of a team’s strategy. For the Broncos’ offense, knowing Lutz can consistently convert field goals from 50+ yards means head coach Sean Payton doesn’t have to second-guess whether to go for it on fourth down in midfield—he can trust Lutz to turn a long drive into points. In 2023, this confidence led to the Broncos scoring 108 points off field goals, the fifth-most in the NFL. For the defense, Lutz’s accuracy means they don’t have to worry about giving up “cheap points” if they force a turnover in the Broncos’ territory—they know Lutz can offset that with a long field goal. Additionally, the extension has allowed the Broncos to keep their special teams core intact: Lutz works closely with long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer and holder Corliss Waitman, a trio that developed strong chemistry in 2023. “Having that continuity is huge,” Mallory said. “Kicking is a team sport within a team sport—Wil, Jacob, and Corliss know each other’s rhythms, and that makes everyone better.” For the Denver Broncos, this stability isn’t just about special teams—it’s about giving the entire team a sense of security that they didn’t have before.

Another benefit of Lutz’s extension is his leadership and influence on the Broncos’ young special teams players—a role that goes beyond his on-field performance and strengthens the Denver Broncos’ locker room. At 30 years old, Lutz is a veteran with eight NFL seasons under his belt (six with the New Orleans Saints before joining the Broncos). He’s used that experience to mentor younger players on the special teams unit, including rookie punter Riley Dixon and undrafted free agent kickoff specialist Parker White. Lutz often stays late after practice to work with Dixon on holder techniques and helps White refine his approach to kickoffs, sharing tips on reading wind and adjusting his stance. “Wil’s not just a teammate—he’s a teacher,” White said. “He doesn’t act like he’s too good to help, even though he’s one of the best kickers in the league. He wants all of us to succeed.” Lutz also leads by example in the weight room and film room, setting a standard of professionalism that rubs off on the entire team. For the Denver Broncos, this leadership is invaluable: it helps develop young talent and builds a culture of excellence in a unit that’s often overlooked. It also ensures that even if Lutz eventually retires, the Broncos will have young special teams players who have learned from one of the best.

Wrapping up Wil Lutz's Contract Extension Boosts the Denver Broncos is the long-term impact it has on the team’s playoff hopes—a move that positions the Denver Broncos to compete for championships in the coming years. The NFL is a league where small margins decide success, and a reliable kicker can be the difference between a playoff team and a also-ran. With Lutz under contract for the next four years, the Broncos have a key piece of their puzzle in place. This allows them to focus their offseason resources on other areas of need, like upgrading the offensive line or adding depth to the secondary, instead of worrying about finding a new kicker. Additionally, Lutz’s presence makes the Broncos a more attractive destination for free agents: players want to join teams that have a chance to win, and knowing the team has a kicker who can seal victories is a selling point. “Wil’s extension is about more than just Wil—it’s about our future,” Payton said. “We’re building a team that can win now and for years to come, and Wil is a big part of that.” For the Denver Broncos, Lutz’s contract isn’t just a financial commitment—it’s a commitment to winning. It’s a sign that the team values the small but critical positions that can turn a good season into a great one. Wil Lutz's Contract Extension Boosts the Denver Broncos ultimately shows that in the NFL, success is built on details—and retaining a kicker who can deliver when it counts is one of the most important details of all.