Wisconsin Native Quinn Meinerz Gets Huge NFL Payday

A Wisconsin native and graduate from University of Wisconsin–Whitewater just got the bag from an NFL team after stellar performances over the last several years.

Quinn Meinerz plays guard for the Denver Broncos. Offensive linemen aren't traditionally household names. Even the best ones in the league (Trent Williams, Zack Martin) can slip your mind. You might not even know the names of O-linemen on your own team. However, Broncos fans should known Meinerz, as he's been one of the most consistent presences on a team mired in inconsistency.

Photo Credit: Adam Bettcher, Getty Images

Quinn Meinerz was drafted by the Broncos in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. That made him not only the highest drafted player in Wisconsin–Whitewater's history, but the first time a player from the school was drafted since 2007 (wide receiver Derek Stanley was the last, taken by the then-St. Louis Rams in the seventh round).

Meinerz has since gone on to play in 45 games for the Broncos, and started 39, making him a seasoned presence on a Broncos team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2015, when they won the Super Bowl. He was rewarded for his consistently strong play on Tuesday, July 16th, when he signed a four-year, $80 million deal that includes $45 million in guaranteed money. A huge, deserving bag for the local boy!

The deal, which was reported by Adam Schefter via Twitter/X on Tuesday night, was conducted by Meinerz' agent, Ron Slavin of Sports Stars NYC, who also attended University of Wisconsin–Whitewater!

Since winning the Super Bowl in 2015, however, the Broncos have been one of the most tumultuous operations in the NFL. They've been a revolving door at head coach and quarterback since the departure of Peyton Manning. Since 2016, they've started 13 different quarterbacks, among the highest rate in the league in that time. They've become as futile at the position as my beloved Chicago Bears.

In 2022, the Broncos traded a king's ransom for Russell Wilson, hoping he would solve their quarterback woes. Atrocious play from the once-reliable veteran coupled with the team giving him too much influence and power resulted in the Broncos cutting Wilson this offseason, leaving them with a heavy bill to pay.

This season, the Broncos are poised to start the quarterback process all over again with Bo Nix, whom they drafted out of the University of Oregon, in the 2024 NFL Draft. At least Nix will have some quality protection from Quinn Meinerz, who himself now has terrific financial protection going forward.