Broncos sign Derek Wolfe to $36 million extension

Dec 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) at the line of scrimmage in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 20-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Denver Broncos and Derek Wolfe have agreed to a four-year contract extension.

The Broncos are getting ready to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional playoffs at Sports Authority Field on Sunday afternoon, and one player will be coming in with a huge smile on his face. Defensive end Derek Wolfe was supposed to hit the free-agent market this offseason, but his representation general manager John Elway avoided all that with a four-year, $36.75 million deal, per Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.

Denver has enjoyed the best defense in the National Football League this season and Wolfe has been a big part of that. The 25-year-old is in his fourth season out of the University of Cincinnati and has shined in the 3-4 defensive end role. Wolfe has 49 tackles and 5.5 sacks this season, despite only playing in 12 games following a four-game suspension to begin the campaign.

This contract should really help to set the market for fellow teammate and defensive end Malik Jackson, who should command a nice penny on the open market. Considering that amount of cash dolled out to Wolfe, combined with the other looming free agents on Denver this year – Von Miller, Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall to name a few – it looks like Jackson is on his way out.

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