On Sunday, nose tackle D.J. Jones seemed frustrated at how negotiations were going in his hope of re-signing with the Broncos.

That soon changed.

As Sunday turned into Monday, sources said Jones had agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract to return to Denver. It includes $26 million guaranteed.

Jones, 30, made a base salary of $9.49 million last season. On Sunday, he had written on social media, “If you don’t know your own value, somebody will tell you your value, and it’ll be less than you’re worth.” The Broncos then stepped up to keep him.

A source said the Broncos also have agreed to re-sign tackle Matt Peart to a two-year contract. But four of their free agents will be moving on in running back Javonte Williams, quarterback Zach Wilson, linebacker Cody Barton and cornerback Tremon Smith.

The departure of Williams, who got a one-year, $3 million deal from Dallas, was expected after four Denver seasons. He had 903 yards as a rookie in 2021 but never was the same after suffering a serious knee injury in October 2022. He led the Broncos in rushing with 513 yards last season but averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. The Broncos are looking for a possible starting running back and they plan to keep Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime, so there was no room for Williams.

Wilson got a one-year deal with Miami that is for $6 million and could be worth as much as $10 million. After being Denver’s third-stringer behind Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham, who has re-signed, he is line to be the backup to Tua Tagovailoa with the Dolphins. 

Barton agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract with Tennessee after he started for Denver in 2025 under a one-year, $2.5 million deal. He is expected to be replaced in the lineup by Dre Greenlaw, who agreed to a three-year, $35 million deal Monday as a free agent.

Smith agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million deal with $4.5 million guaranteed with Houston. The special teams ace had played for the Texans from 2021-22 before signing a two-year, $5 million deal with the Broncos.

Peart signed a one-year, $1.152 million deal with Denver last March after playing his first four seasons with the New York Giants. Peart, who played in 17 games last season while starting two, provides depth on the offensive line.

After the Broncos lost to Buffalo 31-7 to open the playoffs on Jan. 12, Jones had told The Denver Gazette about his desire to re-sign with the team.

“I’d love to be here,’’ Jones said then. “But when we cross that road, we’ll cross it.”

Now that the Broncos have crossed it, they won’t have to plug a hole in the middle of their defensive line. Jones will enter his ninth NFL season and fourth with Denver.

“D.J. Jones is an integral part of their defense in being able to stop the run,” said Nick Ferguson, a Broncos safety from 2003-07 who is now a Denver media personality.