Broncos Sign General Manager George Paton to Five-Year Extension
The Denver Broncos have agreed to a five-year extension with general manager George Paton that will run through the 2030 season. Paton was set to enter the final year of his original six-year contract he signed when the Broncos hired him in 2021 to replace John Elway as general manager.
Since taking over for Elway as the team’s top executive, Paton has helped reshape Denver’s roster with a blend of youth and veteran talent. He’s overseen several productive draft classes since 2021, as the Broncos have selected the fourth-most Pro Bowlers (four) and second-most First-Team All-Pros (three) in the NFL during that span. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II – Paton’s first draft selection as Denver’s general manager – has earned two First-Team All-Pro selections and won the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
Other notable players Paton has drafted include right guard Quinn Meinerez (2021), outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (2022), return specialist Marvin Mims (2023), and quarterback Bo Nix (2024). During Paton’s tenure, the Broncos signed defensive tackle Zach Allen in free agency (2023) and reached long-term extensions for left tackle Garett Bolles (2024) and wide receiver Courtland Sutton (2025).
In 2023, Denver acquired the rights to head coach Sean Payton in a trade with the New Orleans Saints. The partnership between Paton and Payton has been successful, as the Broncos have averaged 11 wins per season across the last three years.
This offseason, Paton pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins to acquire wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. And despite not having a pick until the third round, Paton helped Denver add key depth in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim (No. 66), running back Jonah Coleman (No. 108), offensive lineman Kage Casey (No. 111), tight end Justin Joly (No. 152), safety Miles Scott (No. 246), tight end Dallen Bentley (No. 256), and inside linebacker Red Murdock (No. 257).
Paton’s blockbuster trade for quarterback Russell Wilson in 2022 did not pan out, but he’s successfully helped the Broncos navigate $85 million in dead money after Wilson’s release in March of 2024. Since cutting ties with Wilson, Denver has won 24 regular-season games and reached the 2025 AFC Championship Game. The Broncos won their first AFC West title since 2015 last season and snapped an eight-year playoff drought in 2024.
