Sean Payton Explains Why Broncos Extended C Luke Wattenberg
To some outsiders, it came as a bit of an eyebrow-raiser when the Denver Broncos on Tuesday handed starting center Luke Wattenberg a four-year contract extension worth $48 million, including $27 million guaranteed.
To Broncos head coach Sean Payton, it seemed like a no-brainer move, preventing Wattenberg from reaching the unrestricted free-agent market next year.
“[It’s] good and I think it’s a credit to Luke,” Payton told reporters Wednesday. ”We lost a really good center in free agency a couple years ago. Again, there is a vision. [He’s] a good, young player and it’s important to keep those guys in your building. I’ve been in the position where you are trying to draft a center and it’s one of those unique positions. If you say in the draft, ‘We’re going to draft a center that we feel like can start Year 1,’ that becomes difficult. We are excited for him and of course [K] Wil [Lutz]. All three of those guys.”
A 2022 fifth-round pick drafted by the previous regime, Wattenberg has been Denver’s primary pivot man under Payton dating back to the beginning of last season, appearing in 24 games over that span while succeeding former starter Lloyd Cushenberry, who defected to Tennessee in 2024.
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound blocker is currently grading out asPro Football Focus' No. 20 C among 38 qualifiers, spearheading a Broncos line that’s allowed the fewest sacks in the league (13) entering Week 13.
“His football I.Q. is really sharp. He’s athletic. He does a good job in to the second level. He’s really improved in his protections,” Payton said of Wattenberg. ”All of it, you just see the curve still going upwards. Those are a few things.”
With the ink dry on his deal, the Broncos now have the entirety of their OL — left tackle Garett Bolles, left guard Ben Powers, right guard Quinn Meinerz, right tackle Mike McGlinchey, and Wattenberg — locked down for the foreseeable future.
Payton Talks Roach Pact
In addition to Wattenberg, the Broncos during their recent bye week also struck agreements with kicker Wil Lutz on a three-year contract extension and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach on a three-year arrangement.
A longtime Payton favorite — they spent time together with the Saints — Roach is now under team control through the 2028 season.
“When we left for the Bye, [General Manager] Geroge [Paton] and I talked. There were a handful of opportunities to at least visit with these guys. Speaking on [DT] Malcolm [Roach], his versatility and there are a lot of things—his flexibility position-wise and all the other things he brings to the team, it was a good fit,” Payton said.
TIME UPDATE: Packers vs. Bears at Lambeau Field — Kickoff Now Set for 3:25 PM CT! Here’s What You Need to Know About This High-Stakes Showdown!
The long-awaited NFC rivalry is about to get even more intense as the Packers and Bears face off under the Lambeau lights — but the game time has just been pushed back, and fans can’t stop talking about it! Why the change, and what does it mean for both teams’ playoff hopes? Get ready for an unforgettable showdown!
One of the oldest and fiercest rivalries in all of professional sports is officially set to resume. The NFL has confirmed the kickoff time for the iconic showdown between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears at the legendary, frozen battleground known as Lambeau Field.
This is not just another game.
This is Packers vs. Bears — 100+ years of tension, tradition, heartbreak, triumph, and unforgettable moments. Every season, this matchup carries weight, but this one feels different. With rising stars, playoff ambitions, and two hungry fanbases, the stakes are sky-high.
And now, the moment is locked in.
🕒 Kickoff Time Set — 4:25 PM ET in Green Bay
The NFL has scheduled this rivalry clash for 4:25 PM ET, a late-afternoon slot that practically guarantees:
-
National attention with millions tuning in
-
Maximum drama as daylight fades into Lambeau’s icy evening
-
A crowd that grows louder and more electric as temperatures drop
Few stadiums match the intensity of Lambeau Field, and fewer rivalries match the emotional chaos of Packers vs. Bears.
🌨 Weather Forecast: Classic Lambeau Cold, Rising Winds, and Frozen Air
This matchup arrives as winter tightens its grip on Wisconsin, creating conditions that both teams must respect — and master.
Expected Game-Day Weather in Green Bay:
-
Temperature: 28–32°F — crisp, cold, and punishing
-
Wind: 14–18 mph — enough to alter kicks, punts, and deep passes
-
Sky: Mostly cloudy
-
Chance of Snow:
20–30% — small flurries possible throughout the day -
Field Conditions: Frozen, firm grass; footing will be difficult, especially for finesse players
This is classic December-January Lambeau Field football: cold enough to sting, windy enough to disrupt, and dramatic enough to shape the outcome.
Quarterbacks will need precision.
Running backs will need power.
Receivers will need toughness.
This weather always favors the team that hits harder and stays disciplined longer.
🔥 Why This Matchup Comes With Extra Emotion
⭐ Green Bay Packers: Protecting Their Turf, Proving Their Growth
The Packers enter this matchup with:
-
Jordan Love continuing to grow into his leadership role
-
A young, dynamic receiving corps gaining confidence
-
A defense that thrives in cold-weather battles
-
A home-field advantage unlike any other in sports
Green Bay knows this game means more than standings. It’s about defending tradition, upholding legacy, and reminding Chicago whose stadium they’re entering.
⭐ Chicago Bears: Hungry, Physical, and Eager to Break the Streak
The Bears come into this game motivated by:
-
A revitalized offensive game plan
-
A hard-hitting defensive front built to disrupt
-
A desire to flip the rivalry and prove they’re no longer the little brother
-
A young roster craving its moment
The Bears have been waiting for a signature road win — and doing it at Lambeau would rewrite narratives instantly.
⚔ Where the Game Will Be Won
✔ Packers’ Path to Victory
-
Jordan Love must manage the wind and protect the football
-
Defense must pressure the Bears quarterback early
-
The run game needs to control tempo as temperatures fall
-
Lambeau’s home crowd must play its part in rattling Chicago
✔ Bears’ Path to Victory
-
Establish a physical ground attack to neutralize the cold
-
Force Love into mistakes with disguised pressure packages
-
Win field position battles on special teams
-
Stay disciplined against Green Bay’s motion-heavy scheme
This rivalry has never been about beauty.
It’s always been about toughness, grit, and resilience.
🌆 Expect Late-Game Chaos at Lambeau
As daylight fades into a freezing Green Bay night, the final quarter is likely to deliver:
-
A fight for every yard
-
A clutch defensive stand
-
A game-winning drive or field goal attempt in the swirling wind
A moment that instantly joins the archive of memorable Packers-Bears finishes.
This is Lambeau Field — games here rarely end quietly.
🏁 Final Thoughts: An NFL Rivalry That Never Disappoints
With the kickoff time confirmed and the weather forecast setting the stage, the upcoming Packers vs. Bears battle promises to deliver everything fans crave:
-
Physical football
-
Emotional moments
-
Strategic chess matches
-
Environment-driven drama
A rivalry that feels bigger than two teams.
The Packers fight to defend Lambeau.
The Bears fight to change the story.
And when the stadium lights glow against the icy Wisconsin air at 4:25 PM ET, the next unforgettable chapter of this historic matchup will begin.
