**

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — **Broncos tight end Virgil Green will be back in the Mile High City in orange and blue, Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway announced on Tuesday.

Green, who was set to hit the open market in free agency on Tuesday, has agreed to terms on a new three-year contract in preparation for his fifth NFL season. The tight end is from Elway's inaugural draft picks from his first year as the Broncos' Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager, and one of his earliest picks to get a second contract.

"Virgil has been a big part of our team the last four years and will continue to be in the future," Elway said. "He's been a reliable, solid contributor since the day he was drafted. We're very excited Virgil is returning to the Broncos."

Green's versatility has lent a lot of benefits to the Broncos' offense, especially as a blocker. He also got his first touchdown reception this past season, and has caught 23 career receptions for 206 yards. In addition to traditional work as a tight end blocking and receiving, Green also was a bit of an H-back as a lead blocker at times and even got a few carries as a fullback of sorts.

"I take a lot of pride in [run blocking]," Green said back on Dec. 3. "In college we ran the ball quite a bit so it's something that has been ingrained in my mind to make those big blocks and spring guys to get them down the field."

In the Broncos' new zone-blocking scheme in the rushing offense, tight ends who can hold their own as blockers are quite valuable, and Green's skill set lends benefits to that kind of offense.

In the last six weeks of the season, when Green started, the Broncos ranked sixth in the NFL in rushing with 147.7 yards per game.