Kuper Re-signs for Six Years

Chris Kuper stretches before taking part in a 2009 practice. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Most thought it would be Elvis Dumervil to be the first restricted free agent in Denver to get a new deal, but guard Chris Kuper beat him to the punch.

The Denver Broncos have just announced that Kuper and the team agreed to terms on a six-year contract that will keep the starting guard in orange and blue for a very long time.

Some speculated that Kuper did not fit in to Josh McDaniels new vision for the revamped Broncos offensive line as he came under the Mike Shanahan regime. Shanahan’s philosophy was built around the employment of smaller, quicker offensive lineman.

Kuper is listed by the Broncos at 6’4″ 303 lbs. though. So that’s plenty big for Denver.

“The fact that the Broncos are putting this much trust in me is an incredible feeling,” Kuper said. “It is a dream come true. I’d like to thank Mr. Bowlen, Coach McDaniels and Brian Xanders for getting this deal done. This is where I wanted to be because I feel like this team is headed in the right direction, and my family is excited that we can stay here and be a part of it. I really hope that at some point I can say that I finished my career as a Bronco and won a couple of Super Bowls here, too.”

The guard is entering his fifth season in the NFL, but has only remained healthy for one thus far (2008).

“We are extremely excited about the extension of Chris Kuper’s contract and the fact that he will be a Bronco for a long time,” McDaniels said. “He exemplifies the qualities that we look for in our players both on and off the field. We look forward to his continued leadership and toughness in our efforts to build a championship caliber team.”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed as is club policy, but we will update when we figure them out.

UPDATE: As was reported earlier Tom Brandstater was waived by the team today, offensive tackle Maurice Williams was also released by the team. The veteran lineman Williams was just signed earlier last month by the team.

UPDATE (6/5/10 3:50 PM EST): Mike Klis of the Denver Post got a hold of the contract numbers for Kuper. Kuper will play in 2010 for his original restricted free agent contract ($2.521-million) and will be extended five-years from that for a total of $25.5-million over the course of those seasons. A grand total of $28.021 with $13.021-million guaranteed.

Klis goes on to point out that this makes Kuper the second highest paid offensive lineman in Broncos history (former left tackle Matt Lepsis remains the highest paid in Denver history).

Can anyone say Flozell Adams? Well, maybe Ryan Clady‘s just coming along better than had been expected.