KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 06: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs is sacked by Elvis Dumervil #92 of the Denver Broncos during the game on December 6, 2009 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Cassel;Elvis Dumervil
Jamie Squire
Plenty of teams are refusing to sign veteran players to long-term contracts until a new labor deal is finalized.
The Broncos aren’t one of them.
The team announced via e-mail sent moments ago that an extension has been negotiated with linebacker Elvis Dumervil.
Dumervil bagged a team-record 17 sacks in 2009, his fourth season in the league. Blocked from a shot at unrestricted free agency by the rules of the uncapped year, which pushed the threshold for hitting the market from four years to six, Dumervil had less leverage than he otherwise might have enjoyed.
“I am pleased to announce the extension of Elvis Dumervil’s contract with the Denver Broncos,” G.M. Brian Xanders said. “He has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers, and he’s an important part of the foundation we are building with this team. We are excited to have him as an integral part of the Broncos well into the future.”
The specific duration of Dumervil’s stay into the future isn’t known; the terms have not been disclosed.