Quinn Meinerz, the Denver Broncos' starting right guard, has agreed to a four-year extension worth $80 million with $45 million guaranteed. The deal comes just days before the team's training camp is set to begin.
Meinerz, who was drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft from Wisconsin-Whitewater, has started all 17 games for the Broncos since then and allowed just two sacks last season. He was on the field for 97 percent of Denver's offensive snaps.
The new contract makes Meinerz one of the highest-paid guards in the league. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate last season after starting all 17 games and allowing the fifth-fewest pressures among all guards with at least 1,000 pass-blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
Meinerz's improvement each year has been notable. He started all 17 games in 2023 and was one of the better run-blockers in the league. The Broncos will rely on him to protect their investment at quarterback, whether it be Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson or rookie Bo Nix.
Despite his success, Meinerz's journey to the NFL was not an easy one. He lost his senior season at Wisconsin-Whitewater due to the COVID-19 pandemic and had to wait until the third round of the draft to be selected by Denver.
Meinerz's contract extension is a significant investment by the Broncos in their offensive line, which has been a weakness in recent years. The team will hope that Meinerz's performance justifies the financial commitment.