After starting center Lloyd Cushenberry and inside linebacker Josey Jewell, kicker Wil Lutz is arguably the most important free-agent-to-be for the Denver Broncos. And while unlikely to receive the franchise tag, the veteran specialist is motivated to remain in the Mile High City.
9NEWS' Mike Klis reported Tuesday that re-signing Lutz is a "top priority" for the Broncos this offseason and that Lutz "would like to return" to the club. As for potential terms, Klis projects a "two- or three-year contract worth $3.5 million to $4.5 million per year" — a noticeable raise on the $1.7 million he made in 2023.
Acquired from New Orleans last August, reuniting with head coach Sean Payton, Lutz, 29, suffered through a shaky debut in orange and blue, missing both a field goal and an extra point amid the Broncos' 17-16 loss to the Raiders in Week 1.
Payton opted to ride it out with the former Pro Bowler and his patience was rewarded in kind as Lutz went on to finish 30-of-34 on FG attempts and 29-of-31 on XP tries. He earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors for November after drilling five kicks amid Denver's 21-20 upset of Buffalo in Week 10.
"There’s leg talent, right? Then there’s the stuff between the ears that’s so important," Payton said of Lutz last October. "There’s a confidence level from having experienced it before with him."
Lutz's familiarity with Payton and his steady production should spur an agreement between the sides ahead of NFL free agency, which officially begins on March 13.
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