Broncos sign Derek Wolfe through 2019

On the field the Broncos are talking about their precise focus on the Steelers, “Win now,” if you will, but up in the front office, John Elway, as always, is still focused on, “Win from now on.”

That attitude was, once again, put on display Friday afternoon when the Broncos announced that they had signed Derek Wolfe to a four-year contract extension, through the 2019 season.

“Derek is a very talented and hard-working player who has improved every season since we drafted him in 2012,” John Elway said in a press release issued by the Broncos. “This year, Derek’s developed into one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in football. We’re excited to reward one of our key emerging players and ensure that Derek is part of our team for many more seasons.”

"You always want to sign your own."

– #Broncos EVP/GM @johnelway on signing DE Derek Wolfe through the 2019 season pic.twitter.com/wh6toCNwP3

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 15, 2016

For #Broncos DE Derek Wolfe, he gets $17.5M in guarantees on his 4-year, $36.7M deal ($9.175M average).

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2016

Since returning from his four-game suspension to start the season, Wolfe has been a force on the line for the Broncos, grading out as the 10th best 3-4 defensive end in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus, with teammate Malik Jackson being rated one spot higher at No. 9. Since Week 5, Wolfe has ranked the second-best run-stopper from that position.

As of right now, the $9.175M per year will rank Wolfe, fittingly, as the 10th highest-paid DE in the league.