Casey Wiegmann Signs Contract Extension

Denver Broncos fans can breathe a sigh of relief. At least one 2008 Pro Bowler will be returning to the team in 2009.

Center Casey Wiegmann, who announced he would consider retirement if left only with the final year of the contract he signed with the Broncos in 2008, signed a new two-year agreement with the club Wednesday, it was announced, locking up the Pro Bowler through 2010.

“We are very excited that we were able to negotiate an extension for Casey Wiegmann,” Head Coach Josh McDaniels said. “The professionalism and leadership he showed throughout this process was outstanding. He was here every day working hard during our mini camps and conditioning program. Maintaining the continuity of our offensive line was a big priority for us, and we are very fortunate to have a Pro Bowl center like Casey Wiegmann as part of this organization.”

The 35-year-old Wiegmann was scheduled to be paid the veteran minimum this season, around $800,000. Per club policy, terms of the new deal were not disclosed.

Wiegmann played exceptionally well last season. I’m thrilled he’ll be sticking around for at least another season. Press release after the jump.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Wednesday signed Pro Bowl center Casey Wiegmann to a contract extension through the 2010 season, it was announced. As per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are very excited that we were able to negotiate an extension for Casey Wiegmann,” Head Coach Josh McDaniels said. “The professionalism and leadership he showed throughout this process was outstanding. He was here every day working hard during our mini camps and conditioning program. Maintaining the continuity of our offensive line was a big priority for us, and we are very fortunate to have a Pro Bowl center like Casey Wiegmann as part of this organization.”

Wiegmann (6-foot-2, 285 pounds), who is entering his 14th NFL season and second year with the Broncos, started all 16 games for Denver and earned his first career Pro Bowl selection in 2008. He anchored an offensive line that helped the Broncos tie for first in the NFL with 12 sacks allowed, which marked a franchise record, and blocked for an offense that finished second in the league as well as in club history in total yards (6,333 / 395.8 ypg.).

In addition, his blocking helped the Broncos rank third in the NFL in yards per rush (4.8) in 2008 despite placing a league-high seven running backs on injured reserve.

Wiegmann enters the 2009 season having played every possible regular season and postseason offensive snap (8,046) since early in the 2001 campaign to mark the longest active streak among NFL offensive linemen. He also has started the last 127 regular-season games, representing the longest active streak among league centers and the third longest among all NFL offensive linemen.

A former standout at the University of Iowa, Wiegmann played for the Colts (1996), Jets (1996-97), Bears (1997-2000) and Chiefs (2001-07) before joining the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent on March 24, 2008.