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Broncos GM George Paton Has Built a “Secret Weapon” for the Playoffs — If Not a Super Bowl This Year, Then When?

Denver, Colorado – As the NFL enters its most unforgiving stretch, the Denver Broncos may be holding one of the smartest and most overlooked competitive advantages in the league — a financial weapon crafted quietly by GM George Paton that could reshape the playoff race.

It’s called the option bonus, a rarely used contract mechanism that gives Denver the ability to open salary-cap space instantly, secure key veterans, and reinforce the roster at critical moments without damaging future years. According to cap analysts, the Broncos have the second-most option bonuses in the entire NFL, a sign of deliberate long-term planning rather than coincidence.

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Paton has embedded these “switches” into contracts across the roster. If Denver needs flexibility, the team can activate an option bonus, converting salary into prorated bonus money and freeing millions of dollars on the cap. If they don’t need it, the contract simply remains as-is — stable, clean, and manageable.

One of the clearest examples is center Luke Wattenberg, whose extension contains an astonishing seven separate option bonuses. Each one is a strategic lever Paton can pull depending on how the playoff picture evolves. Unlike many teams scrambling to restructure deals every offseason, the Broncos have already built their emergency exit routes — months in advance.

When asked privately about this strategic layering, Paton reportedly said something that instantly circulated through team circles:

“Sometimes the best preparation isn’t on the field… it’s in the things nobody notices.”

That single line ignited speculation across Broncos Country. It was a hint — subtle but unmistakable — that Denver has been preparing for something far bigger than just making the postseason.

With this system, the Broncos can:

  • Add a late-season impact veteran if the right opportunity appears,

  • Extend or secure a core player without crippling cap space,

  • Reconfigure the roster for playoff matchups with unprecedented speed,

  • And most importantly, protect their long-term flexibility while pushing all-in right now.

  • NFL analysts who once questioned Paton’s early tenure are now calling him one of the smartest financial architects in the league. Denver isn’t just winning on the field — they’re winning in the margins, the contracts, and the details that shape championship windows.

    In the Mile High City, the message is becoming clear:

    If this isn’t the year — with the deepest, most flexible, most carefully engineered roster Paton has built — then what year will be?

    The Broncos aren’t just preparing for a playoff run.
    They’re preparing to finish the job.

    Jaguars Icon Fred Taylor Wins Fraud Lawsuit After Charity Exploited Underprivileged Children — Team Protects His Legacy
    Jacksonville, Florida – January , 2026 Fred Taylor has always been more than just a player to Jacksonville. For over a decade as a Jaguar, he dedicated his life to both his football career and giving back to his community. With unmatched toughness, leadership, and heart, Taylor became a symbol of what it means to be a true Jaguar — a proud protector of the team and the community he loved. However, one of the charities affiliated with his Fred Taylor Foundation, which aimed to support underprivileged children and at-risk youth in Florida, was found to have misused funds meant for these vulnerable groups. Taylor took immediate legal action, determined to protect the families and children who trusted his charity and commitment to serving Jacksonville beyond the football field. Auditors discovered that less than 40% of the funds raised went to the children’s programs, far less than the promised 80%. The remaining money was diverted to inflated executive salaries, bogus operational fees, and personal luxuries unrelated to any charitable mission. Taylor felt deeply betrayed, knowing that the children who were supposed to benefit from his charity were instead let down. “I’ve spent my career fighting on and off the field for this community,” Taylor said. “I’m not going to let anyone exploit the kids we’ve worked so hard to help.” His lawsuit sought to return the funds that had been misappropriated and restore the faith of the community he spent over a decade uplifting. The Jacksonville Jaguars stood by Taylor throughout the legal battle, assisting with evidence gathering, helping clarify the financial records, and ensuring that the truth was made known in the courtroom. The organization made it clear that their legends — in every form — would never fight alone. The judge ruled strongly in Taylor’s favor. The charity was ordered to pay $2.1 million in restitution, with its executives banned from managing any nonprofit organization for at least 10 years. All remaining funds will be directed immediately back to the underprivileged children and youth programs in Florida. Fred Taylor refused to accept a single dollar for himself. Every cent recovered will go directly to the young students, at-risk youth, and the Fred Taylor Foundation programs that have inspired his work, including thousands of hospital visits, school appearances, and charity drives throughout his career. With an illustrious career as the Jaguars' all-time leading rusher (11,271 yards, 62 touchdowns), a Pro Bowl selection, and as a semifinalist for the Hall of Fame, Fred Taylor has built a legacy that stands among the greatest in Jacksonville's history. And now, his greatest legacy might be his dedication to protecting the hope and dignity of the children he’s always championed. His message resonated throughout Jacksonville: “I ran for touchdowns and broke tackles on the field, but I’ve always had a greater purpose. If anyone steals from our kids, they answer to me — and they answer to this community.” Taylor’s words proved that his loyalty to Jacksonville runs deeper than any on-field accomplishment. Tonight, Jacksonville celebrates more than a courtroom victory — they celebrate a protector who continues to fight long after his time on the field. Fred Taylor remains the heart and shield of this community — forever Jaguar, forever family.