Broncos Trade for Saints K Wil Lutz
The Denver Broncos officially have a new kicker.
On Tuesday, hours before the 53-man roster deadline, the Broncos struck a trade with the New Orleans Saints for K Wil Lutz. Per 9NEWS' Mike Klis, Denver sent a 2024 seventh-round pick to New Orleans for Lutz, reuniting the former Pro Bowler with head coach Sean Payton.
Lutz's agent, John Perla, has since confirmed the trade.
“He’s very excited," Perla told the Denver Post's Chris Tomasson. "I think he’s going to have a Pro Bowl season. He’s always had a great relationship with Sean. I think there’s no stopping him. He feels so good mentally and physically. I think it’s going to rejuvenate him"
Undrafted out of Georgia State in 2016, Lutz was the Saints' kicker for the last seven seasons during which the 29-year-old made 165 of 195 (84.6%) field goal attempts and 286 of 293 (97.6%) extra point tries. He has a career-long of 60 yards, set in 2022.
Lutz's best season came in 2019 when he drilled a personal-high 32 FGs — including three from 50-plus yards — and earned Pro Bowl honors.
“He’s been really good in clutch situations, and that’s what you’re looking for,” Payton said of Lutz that year, via WLOX. “It’s not only the leg talent, but the talent between the ears. It’s a strength of his.”
The Broncos reportedly released K Brett Maher in a corresponding move, fully entrenching Lutz as its primary specialist for the 2023 campaign.
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