Denver Broncos GM George Paton is likely due for a contract extension.
It hasn’t come yet, but entering the final year of his deal it feels like it’s time.
Yes, Paton had huge mistakes early in his Broncos career. He hired Nathaniel Hackett to be Denver’s head coach which turned into an absolute disaster. And he also made a massive trade for QB Russell Wilson, which completely failed.
But Paton has been nails in the NFL Draft and for the most part in free agency. He and head coach Sean Payton helped the Broncos go 14-3 a season ago and reach the AFC Title Game.
Still, as of this moment George Paton hasn’t signed a new deal. And the Minnesota Vikings, a team he spent a large part of his career with, are looking for a new GM.
But despite any speculation and rumors that Paton could return to the Vikings, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert poured cold water on that idea on Thursday.
Many league sources have assumed the next Vikings GM would be either George Paton or Rob Brzezinski. During conversations in Phoenix, there was no evidence of either path, or a preferred candidate in any sense. Process hasn't even started.https://t.co/fa6PhghqVa
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) April 2, 2026
“There are no indications that George Paton is on his way out in Denver or wants to leave. ESPN senior national NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler reported that Paton appears set to return, and Broncos coach Sean Payton has expressed hope that Paton will sign a contract extension,” Seifert writes.
And at the NFL annual meeting earlier this week, Broncos owner and CEO Greg Penner was asked about Paton’s contract and paid him a nice compliment.
“I’ve said the same thing: We want to have George here long term. He’s been a terrific partner for Sean and how they work together. I’m sure we’ll get that sorted out,” Penner said.
The relationship between Paton and Payton is clearly a solid one. Paton’s smooth personality can balance out some of Payton’s feistiness. The duo has built a great football team.
Hopefully, it’s a matter of days or weeks before Broncos Country hears about a new contract for George Paton. And regardless, it doesn’t sound like he’s headed back to Minnesota.