DENVER — Denver Broncos free agent kicker Wil Lutz is expected to return to the team next season after waffling on a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Day 1 of the NFL’s so-called legal tampering period.
Monday marked the first day players could negotiate with teams before the free agency signing period officially begins Wednesday. It began with news that Lutz – who played for Broncos head coach Sean Payton in New Orleans and who Payton brought to Denver via trade last year – would leave for a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Hours later, though, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Lutz had “changed his mind” and would stay with the Broncos.
well - "agreed to terms" means it hasn't been signed. And the deal with the Jags fell thnrough. Wil Lutz has decided to come back to the #Broncos and Sean Payton. @DenverChannel https://t.co/MbHIkjGJdE
— Lionel Bienvenu (@lionelbienvenu) March 11, 2024
Lutz, who turns 30 this summer, has made 85% of his field goal attempts in his seven seasons as a pro, including 88.2% of his kicks with Denver last year – his best campaign since 2019.
He’s reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with the Broncos.
Other Broncos free agency news:
- Broncos free agent center Lloyd Cushenberry has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Tennessee Titans. This is not unexpected as the Broncos don’t have the money to pay their own big-money free agents. As of now, the Broncos have centers Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth on the roster.
- The Broncos have agreed to sign safety Brandon Jones to a 3-year, $20 million deal to replace Justin Simmons, who will be released
- The Broncos expect to re-sign safety P.J. Locke, who has been with the team for four years
- The Broncos and Sean Payton were in discussions with quarterback Sam Darnold to sign in Denver, but Darnold agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings late Monday night. The Broncos have Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci under contract next year for about $5 million and $1 million apiece, respectively. Expect them to continue to look to sign a low-cost veteran free agent QB for 2024, and then they will also look to take a quarterback in the NFL draft in late April.
