Last week, the Denver Broncos agreed to terms with linebacker Elvis Dumervil on a contract extension that will keep him in Denver through 2015, and sets a new record for guaranteed money given to a pass rusher.  Dumervil is guaranteed at least $43.168 million, and will make $61.5 million if he stays healthy. That’s more guaranteed money than Chicago’s Julius Peppers, Dallas’s DeMarcus Ware, and Baltimore’s Terrell Suggs got in their deals — and all three of those pass rushers are among this season’s 15 highest-paid NFL players.

Much of the stories on Dumervil’s signing have focused on the negotiations being drama-free.  Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels lauded Dumervil for his “patience.” It’s tempting to see a bit of racism here — white owners, general managers and coaches being more willing to pay top dollar if a black player acts humble and doesn’t get uppity — but the Broncos also had their share of drama from white quarterback Jay Cutler.

For his part Dumervil seems appreciative that the Broncos took him in the fourth round four years ago, and he’s using all the other teams passing on him as motivation:

…a lot of teams passed on me before the Broncos selected me with the 126th pick. I’m wanting to show these other teams what they missed out on. I’m obsessed with that. I feel bitter about those decisions. Now I want to prove to other teams that the Broncos were right in wanting to reward me by extending me. I’m just getting started.

Last season after switching to outside linebacker, Dumervil had a breakout year, leading the NFL in sacks with 17 and making his first Pro Bowl.  In his first three seasons as a defensive end, he averaged almost nine sacks a year.