The Broncos and center Luke Wattenberg have agreed to contract terms on a four-year extension, a source confirmed on Tuesday night.

The deal is worth $48 million with $27 million guaranteed, according to NFL media reports. Wattenberg becomes tied as the fifth-highest paid center in the league at $12 million annually with the Saints’ Erik McCoy.

Wattenberg’s contract arrives just one day after coach Sean Payton hinted at more deals when kicker Wil Lutz signed a three-year extension. Wattenberg is signed to play in Denver through the 2029 season.

Wattenberg is a two-year starter, and a former fifth-round draft pick (Washington), who beat out Alex Forsyth in 2024 to be the featured center.

“He played really well last year for us in his first year as a starter,” Payton said in August.

Wattenberg, 28, earned a reputation as one of the NFL’s best pass-blocking centers. But he sought improvement in run blocking entering his season, especially as Denver transitioned to more outside zone concepts.

“I really want to take the next step in the run game,” Wattenberg said in training camp. “(Assistant offensive line coach) Chris Morgan has been helping me a lot with that — playing fast, playing with my hat, getting my back-side hand in, has all been points of emphasis for me. He’s been helping a lot with that.”

The Broncos have invested significant financial resources in their offensive line. All five starters are under contract through at least the 2026 season. The offensive line has performed well entering Week 13. The Broncos rank fourth in pass-block win rate and ninth in run-block win rate, per ESPN.

The Broncos (9-2) face the Commanders (3-8) on the road Sunday night.