ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — One of the worst kept secrets in town is Derek Wolfe wants to retire a Bronco. He’s made it clear for years, and even though his contract was expiring, he made it clear again in 2019.
“I want to retire here,” the soon-to-be 30-year old said at the end of Denver’s season. “Obviously that plays a huge role in my decision making.”
That’s music to John Elway’s ears.
But John, don’t get too caught up in Derek’s jam sesh—he still wants to be paid.
“I also don’t want to seem desperate,” Wolfe said, making it clear he’s not interested in being bullied in contract negotiations. “It’s one of those things where I’ve said it so many times before, this is a business, and the business has to do what’s best for the business. If what’s best for the business is keeping me here, then I’m ecstatic about that. If what’s best for the business is me leaving, that sucks, but it is what it is. It’s a business.”
Weeks before Denver won Super Bowl 50, the 6-foot-5, 285-pound mountain of a man signed a four-year, $36.7 million extension to continue his career in Orange & Blue. However, as the years have gone on, Wolfe’s made it known he took a home-town discount with an average salary of $9.175 million per year.
Despite that, he’s not looking to recoup what some players might call “lost money” on the open market this time around.
“It’s about being fair, that’s what it’s about. I’m not trying to break the bank anywhere,” Wolfe said, opening up about what he’s looking for in his next contract. “If I have to go somewhere else, I’m not trying to break the bank there either. It’s all about what’s fair. I’m not trying to be top of the market and I’m not trying to be bottom of the market either.”
In 2020, the top of the market for a defensive end will be about $20 million per year. Fortunately for the Broncos, he’s not looking for that type of money. But he is coming off a year in which he had a career-best seven sacks—which at the time was a team-high as well.
Wolfe missed the final four games of the season after suffering a dislocated elbow in Week 13.
Other than loving Denver and the Broncos organization, one reason Wolfe wants to stay in Denver is because of their new starting quarterback.
“We all believe in Drew,” Wolfe said, complimenting Drew Lock, adding the young quarterback’s presence is “huge” for the future of the team. “If I’m here or not, I still want to see him succeed because I like the guy. I like him, he’s a good kid and he’s got a ton of potential. He can be as good as he wants to be, and I’m excited about the future of the Broncos.”
Over the years, Wolfe has made it clear how much he loves Denver. This year, he’s said numerous times how Vic Fangio’s scheme fits him perfectly.
“I’m excited about what this team could be,” Wolfe continued with enthusiasm. “Think about the close games that we should’ve won. We should’ve beaten Indianapolis, we should’ve beaten Chicago and we should’ve beaten Jacksonville. Those are three more wins, we’ve got a 10-win season.”
Derek Wolfe doesn’t know if he’ll be with the team that drafted him in 2020. But he loves the direction his team is going. And he would be “ecstatic” to be apart of the future at a “fair” price.
