BREAKING: Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz Has officially hit financial breakthrough after his latest mouth watering deal” report.
Quinn Meinerz, a guard, 25, and the Denver Broncos have reached an agreement to sign a four-year, $80 million contract deal. The agreement, which will take effect after his rookie contract expires following the 2024 season, contains $45 million in guaranteed money.
As a third-round draft selection out of Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater, Meinerz joined the Broncos. He became well-known in the run-up to the 2021 draft.
The pandemic forced his squad to miss his last university season, but Meinerz continued to train out independently in the Canadian wilderness, which was the opposite direction from his Wisconsin home. He played in the 2021 Senior Bowl and went from being undrafted to being selected in the top 100, all while missing 14 months of football.
When Meinerz first joined the NFL, he was a project. The NFL standard for pass protection, two-point stances, was not used by his collegiate squad. As a rookie, Meinerz alternated between the starting lineup and the bench.
In 2022, he moved into the starting lineup full-time and produced highlights while establishing himself as an important member of the Broncos’ future. Meinerz reached the pinnacle of NFL lineman in 2023 by playing the cleanest ball of his career. He was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate as a result of his performance.
These days, Meinerz has established himself as one of the NFL’s top two or three run blockers, and he’s also improved greatly at pass protection. Although the Broncos are hoping he keeps becoming better at passing, he is already worth the money.
Meinerz becomes the fifth guard in NFL history to make at least $20 million annually in compensation. With $21 million annually, Landon Dickerson of the Eagles holds the record. With $20 million annually, Meinerz is tied with Robert Hunt and Quenton Nelson.
Among NFL guards, Meinerz has the sixth-highest guaranteed salary. Now, four lineman for the Broncos are under long-term contracts.
When it comes to NFL left tackle average salary, Garrett Bolles is ranked seventh. When it comes to NFL right tackle average compensation, Mike McGlinchey is ranked sixth. Ben Powers is the sixteenth-paid guard in the NFL.
This offseason, the Broncos made the decision not to re-sign Lloyd Cushenberry III, who had started at center for the previous four seasons. Among NFL centers, his new contract with the Tennessee Titans is the second highest paying one.
The Broncos will eventually have to make some upfront budget cuts. They may defend paying their linemen excessive salaries until a quarterback is ready to sign a contract. That should be Bo Nix in 2029, perhaps.
Although McGlinchey is under contract through 2027, the Broncos have the option to terminate it up to two years early in order to free up salary cap room. Powers’ contract runs through 2026, but the Broncos might be able to cut costs by cutting him a year early.
Bolles will most likely be the next offensive line domino to fall following Meinerz’s deal. This offseason, he is expected to become a free agent. The Broncos will have a huge void on the left side of the line if they let him to depart. However, keeping him may be expensive. Pat Surtain II is the other Bronco who might get an extension soon.
Surtain has a two-year contract left, and the Broncos have the option to use the franchise tag to extend his stay two more seasons. But creating a long-term agreement could be advantageous to both parties. For both the Broncos and Surtain, an extension of five years and $25 million should be within the budget.
