Chris Kuper lined up against the formidable financial foe that was NFL labor uncertainty.
And knocked it on its rear.
Seemingly unlucky when, as a fourth-year player, Kuper had his free-agent status reduced from unrestricted to restricted by the NFL’s uncapped season, the starting right guard nevertheless became the second-highest paid offensive lineman in Broncos history Friday when he agreed to a five-year, $25.5 million extension.
“The history of the Broncos, the history of the offensive line here — I came in with some great players in Broncos history that I got to play next to: Tom Nalen, Matt Lepsis, Ben Hamilton,” Kuper said. “The tradition, I love the city of Denver. And the organization altogether, it’s just first-class.”
In “new money,” which begins in the 2011 season, Kuper’s $5.1 million annual salary is second only to the $6.2 million average Lepsis received in his final contract before retiring after the 2007 season.
Kuper will continue playing on the $2.521 million salary he was tendered as a restricted free agent in 2010. Add it up and Kuper is under contract through the next six years at $28.012 million. Of that, $13.021 million is guaranteed.
