ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Denver Broncos and offensive guard Quinn Meinerz agreed to a four-year contract extension worth up to $80 million. The deal includes $45 million in guaranteed money and could keep him in Denver until 2028.
The $20 million annual average of Meinerz's new contract ties him with Robert Hunt and Quenton Nelson as the third-highest-paid NFL offensive guard, trailing only Landon Dickerson ($21 million) and Chris Lindstrom ($20.5 million).
As NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport pointed out, Meinerz's NCAA Division III school did not play during his senior year. However, the former Wisconsin-Whitewater standout made the most of his opportunity by impressing NFL scouts and executives during the 2021 Senior Bowl. Meinerz might not have had that chance if Dickerson hadn't been injured during the 2021 National Championship Game.
Sources: Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz, who has started 39 games since Denver selected him out Wisconsin–Whitewater in the third round of the 2021 Draft, is signing a four-year, $80 million contract extension that includes $45 million guaranteed and ties him to the team through the… pic.twitter.com/5puCKzozLj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 17, 2024
Since entering the league as a third-round selection, Meinerz has started 39 out of 45 games for the Broncos, tallying two fumble recoveries and a tackle. Last season, Pro Football Focus gave him an impressive 83.7 overall grade and an 88.7 run-blocking score. With him on board for the long run, the Broncos are establishing a solid offensive line featuring Meinerz, Garett Bolles, Sam Mustipher, Alex Forsyth, and Mike McGlinchey.
-Lance Fernandez
