NO REGRETS FOR DENVER’S WOLFE
Don’t feel sorry for Derek Wolfe. The defensive end is happy with his decision to skip free agency, sign his four-year, $36.75 million contract and live his life as a member of the Broncos.
One afternoon last week, Derek Wolfe — a Broncos defensive end with arms as thick as the Alaska pipeline — answered questions about expectations, improvement and defending a Super Bowl championship. He was in a much different place than a year ago when the media waited for his New England Patriots venom du jour on Tom Brady and Deflategate. The inquiries took on a unique tone. They were about him. About whether he made a mistake signing a four-year, $36.75 million contract (which included a $17.5 million signing bonus) before reaching free agency.
When Wolfe agreed to the deal last January during the playoffs, it was considered reasonable. But the space between his contract and former teammate Malik Jackson’s new sixyear, $90 million contract (including $42 million guaranteed) with the Jacksonville Jaguars created debate.
Did Wolfe make a mistake? The idea hasn’t crossed his mind. He remembers growing up in a roller coaster of emotions, and later blossoming from the unbridled support of a small Ohio community, of having $7 to his name during his junior year of college before deciding to stay in school.
Regrets? He says he does not have any.
“Absolutely not. I did what I felt was right. I’m happy for Malik. He deserves it. I’m where I wanted to be. You can’t put a price on happiness,” Wolfe said, echoing comments he made when he accepted his contract. “I’m happy, and that’s all that really matters.”
Wolfe has taken to Denver, to the franchise, city and its rabid fans.
He has evolved from a contributor, surviving a scary seizure two years ago that threatened his career, to become a central figure on the NFL’s nastiest defense. While he isn’t the first player to pop to mind on the Broncos, chances are you have seen and remember his work.
He delivered at least half a sack in nine of the Broncos’ final 10 games last season. He delivered 2½ sacks in the playoffs, his soul crushing of Brady in the first quarter establishing a tone of ferocity that had the Patriots star seeing ghosts coming off the corners.
While Wolfe long forged a reputation in ground control, he broke through that typecast last season after missing the first four games because of an NFL suspension for use of a performance-enhancing drug.
“He had a tremendous year last year, and in the playoffs, he played tremendous. He really came on toward the end of the year and was really our dominant inside player,” said Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. “He’s always been a good run player, at least for us this last year, he was a tremendous run player. Toward the end of the year he was getting after the quarterback really well. I look for him to take up where he left off.”
Insatiable hunger and channeled anger fuel Wolfe. He works with passion that is as obvious to see as the sleeve of tattoos that decorate his right arm. The crowd howls in delight when he makes a big play. He learned new pass-rush techniques, going from a bull rusher to a man with a variety of moves.
“The job that (defensive line coach) Bill (Kollar) did with Malik and Derek really helped us,” said Denver head coach Gary Kubiak.
Wolfe’s success made him a well-compensated player. Even as others think he undersold his value, he sees the reverse. During the 2016 season, he wants to live up to the faith shown in him as a Broncos long-term core player like cornerback Chris Harris.
“To me, I have to prove my worth, prove that I was worth that much money. I have to go out there and prove to the fans, to the team, to the organization, to my teammates and to everybody that I’m worth that much money,” Wolfe said. “To me, it puts a little bit more pressure on me actually.”
In the last few weeks, the reality of his new status clarified. He’s a force on a defense full of big personalities and leaders. Where outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware is everyone’s older brother and defensive backs Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward provide the soundtrack and snarl, Wolfe keeps it real on the defensive line.
Those rookies who want to put up their feet on the snazzy Super Bowl 50 trophy in the Dove Valley lobby, beware.
Wolfe’s contract with the Broncos extends beyond money. It’s about a commitment.
“We have a standard here, and they either buy in or they don’t,” Wolfe said. “They’re either going to buy in to that standard or they’re going to get the hell out.”