Allen emerged as a dominant force during the 2024 season, earning second-team All-Pro honors after recording a career-high 8.5 sacks and establishing himself as a key player in both run defense and pass rush.

Allen, 27, received a $42.8 million signing bonus, and his deal includes $44.25 million fully guaranteed. For salary cap purposes, his signing bonus will be prorated as $11.375 million cap hits in each of the next two seasons before two years of $7.625 million hits and then one year of a $4.8 million hit in 2029.

Sean Payton approached Zach Allen on Thursday with what he thought was a promising metaphor. “It appears the ships can see each other on the horizon,” the Broncos head coach said, referring to contract extension talks between the club and Allen’s camp. Then Payton asked Allen how far the horizon is at sea.