The Belly is staying in Denver.

The Denver Broncos agreed to terms on a four-year, $80 million extension with 25-year-old guard Quinn Meinerz. The deal includes $45 million in guaranteed money and will kick in when his rookie contract expires after the 2024 season.

Meinerz joined the Broncos as a third-round draft pick out of Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater. He rose to prominence in the lead-up to the 2021 draft. His team sat out his final collegiate season because of the pandemic, but Meinerz worked out on his own in the Canadian wilderness across the border from his home in Wisconsin. Despite 14 months away from football, he dominated the 2021 Senior Bowl and rose from an unknown to a top-100 draft pick.

Meinerz was a project when he entered the NFL. His collegiate team didn’t use two-point stances, which is the standard in pass protection in the NFL. Meinerz split time between the starting lineup and the bench as a rookie.

He became a full-time starter in 2022, providing highlight-reel moments while proving himself a key piece of the Broncos’ future. In 2023, Meinerz played his cleanest ball yet and elevated to the upper echelon of NFL linemen. His efforts earned him a spot as a Pro Bowl alternate.

Now, Meinerz has solidified himself as one of the two or three best run blockers in the NFL, and he’s become very solid in pass protection, too. The Broncos will hope that he continues to improve in the passing game, but he’s worth the money as-is.

Meinerz becomes the fifth guard in the NFL to earn an average salary of $20 million per year or more. Landon Dickerson of the Eagles holds the record with $21 million per year. Meinerz is tied with Robert Hunt and Quenton Nelson with $20 million per year. Meinerz’s guaranteed money ranks sixth among NFL guards.

The Broncos now have four linemen on large contracts.

Garett Bolles ranks eighth in average salary among NFL left tackles.

Mike McGlinchey ranks sixth in average salary among NFL right tackles.

Ben Powers ranks 16th in average salary among NFL guards.

The Broncos decided not to re-sign Lloyd Cushenberry III, who started at center the past four seasons, this offseason. His new deal with the Tennessee Titans ranks second in average salary among NFL centers.

Eventually, the Broncos will need to reduce its spending up front. They could justify overpaying their linemen until it’s time to give a contract to a quarterback… hopefully, that’s Bo Nix in 2029.

McGlinchey is signed through 2027, but the Broncos could get out of the deal up to two years early and save some salary cap space.

Powers is signed through 2026, but the Broncos could save money by moving on a year early.

The next offensive line domino to fall after Meinerz’s extension will probably be Bolles. He’s set to become a free agent this offseason. If the Broncos let him walk, they’ll have a massive hole on the left side of the line. Keeping him could be pricey, though.

The other Bronco who could see an extension in the near future is Pat Surtain II.

Surtain is under contract for two more seasons, and the Broncos could exercise the franchise tag to keep him around for two more seasons after that. But both sides might benefit from building a long-term deal. An extension in the range of five years and $25 million should be in the ballpark for both the Broncos and Surtain.