Days after the Denver Broncos extended his contract, general manager George Paton received generous praise from head coach Sean Payton . Payton claimed that he's fortunate to work with Paton.

Paton has been the Broncos' GM even before the current ownership, the Walter-Penner family, bought the AFC West franchise in 2022. He has managed to stick around both due to his ability to keep the club functioning properly and co-exist with the other key members.

Payton leaned on Paton after Denver hired him in 2023. Since then, the duo has built rosters that made two trips to the playoffs in 2024 and 2025. Last year, the Broncos played in the conference title game.

Speaking with the media on Sunday, Payton called Paton a 'tremendous asset' for the Broncos.

I consider myself very fortunate to have been with one General Manager in New Orleans [Mickey Loomis], who I would call a very close friend and a great working partner, and then to find another person like George [Paton]. I know that we both feel the same way. We love the grind together. He's a tremendous asset and all, and he's very good at what he does.

Paton, 56, who was set to enter the final year of his original six-year contract with the Broncos in 2021, received an extension earlier this week. He signed a five-year extension, which will end in 2030.

In a statement on Friday, team owner/CEO Greg Penner issued a statement regarding Paton's contract extension.

We are pleased to announce a new five-year contract for George Paton that reflects our confidence in his leadership, vision, and the overall direction of our team. As our General Manager, George has demonstrated a strong commitment toward building a winning roster while forming a collaborative and supportive partnership with Sean Payton.

The details of Paton's new contract have not been made public yet. In the meantime, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network revealed that before the extension, the Minnesota Vikings tried to hire Paton.

Paton spent 14 years with the Vikings, starting off as the club's Director of Player Personnel, then taking over as Assistant General Manager, and later Vice President of Player Personnel.

The Vikings are looking for a new GM because they fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after missing the playoffs last year. Currently, Rob Brzezinski is serving as the interim general manager.

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix suffered a nasty ankle injury towards the end of the divisional playoff final against the Buffalo Bills. He still played through the pain until the referee blew the final whistle.

Nix threw 26 completions for 279 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. After the game, Coach Payton broke the news that devastated the entire Broncos fandom.

Denver placed Nix on IR and called upon veteran Jarrett Stidham to start in the conference title game against the New England Patriots. Stidham completed 17 of 31 passes for 133 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a 10-7 defeat.

Nearly four months removed from undergoing surgery, Nix looks to be doing quite well, according to Payton. And could join the team during the team's OTAs.

You'll see him probably in [the mandatory] minicamp — probably. He'll be full speed throwing, everything, in July before we get back here. He's doing good.

Nix went 14-3 in the regular season. He threw 388 completions for 3931 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 picks. He also rushed 83 times for 356 yards and scored 5 touchdowns.

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