The Denver Broncos have locked in their general manager for the long haul. George Paton, who was entering the final year of his contract, has signed a five-year extension that will keep him in Denver through the 2030 season. The announcement comes on the heels of a remarkable turnaround—just months after the Broncos made their first AFC championship game appearance since their Super Bowl 50 victory in 2015.
Paton's journey with the Broncos began in 2021 when he took over for franchise icon John Elway. Before that, he spent 14 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, climbing the ranks of their player personnel department from 2007 to 2020. That deep-rooted connection to Minnesota made recent rumors of the Vikings pursuing him for their GM opening especially intriguing, but Denver moved quickly to secure his future.
"We are pleased to announce a new five-year contract for George Paton that reflects our confidence in his leadership, vision and the overall direction of our team," Broncos owner and CEO Greg Penner said in a statement. "As our general manager, George has demonstrated a strong commitment toward building a winning roster while forming a collaborative and supportive partnership with Sean Payton."
Penner added: "I've enjoyed working with George over the last four seasons and appreciate the alignment we share in positioning the Broncos for sustained success."
It's been a remarkable redemption arc for Paton. His 2022 season was a disaster by almost any measure—he traded for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and handed him a massive extension, then hired Nathaniel Hackett as head coach. The Wilson deal ultimately backfired spectacularly, resulting in a record $85 million in dead cap space when the veteran signal-caller was released in 2024. Hackett lasted just 15 regular-season games before being fired.
But Penner, who took over as owner in 2022, stayed patient. And that patience paid off. Paton regrouped, brought in Sean Payton as head coach, and rebuilt the roster into a legitimate contender. Now, with a new extension in hand, he'll have the stability to continue building on that momentum through the decade.