Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe rebounded from a four-game suspension with a vengeance this season. Not only was he a disruptive force on the NFL’s top defense, he showed promise as a future cornerstone player.

Friday, the Broncos rewarded Wolfe with a four-year contract, locking up the first of several key free agents. The deal is worth $36.7 million and includes $17.5 million guaranteed, two NFL sources told The Denver Post.

“It’s great. Derek’s worked his tail off,” Broncos general manager John Elway said via the team’s website. “He’s had a tremendous career so far — a short career, only four years. So we’re looking forward to having him here for some more time. He’s worked very hard and well-deserved, so we’re glad that we can come to an agreement. Now he can only look forward and, hopefully, continue to get three more wins this year.”

Denver wants to keep its defense together. That means this deal won’t preclude others, although no more are expected to be wrapped up until the season concludes.

The Broncos will attempt to secure outside linebacker Von Miller, who can be retained on the franchise tag if necessary, and free-agent defensive end Malik Jackson and linebacker Danny Trevathan. But the Broncos face difficult decisions, given the uncertainty at quarterback, where Brock Osweiler will be a free agent, and the need to bolster the offensive line.

Wolfe, 25, stated numerous times the past few weeks that his desire was to remain in Denver.

“Last night I called my agents and the deal was already on the table and I said, ‘Look, let’s just take this deal,'” Wolfe told the Broncos’ website. “‘I don’t want to leave. I love this city, I love the them, I love the organization, the coaches, my teammates and everything, so I couldn’t be happier. I’m in a place that I love to be, so why would I leave?”

A second-round pick in the 2012 draft, Wolfe became a priority with a breakout season under new defensive line coach Bill Kollar. Always known as an elite run stuffer, Wolfe delivered 5½ sacks and 12 quarterback hits in 12 games this season. He missed the first month after serving a four-game ban for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Wolfe earned AFC defensive player of the week honors in the Broncos’ 29-10 victory over Green Bay on Nov. 1.

Like cornerback Chris Harris, Wolfe took a deal for likely less than what he could have received on the open market because of his desire to stay with the Broncos.

“I love Wolfe. I am so happy for him. He works extremely hard,” Harris said. “Glad to have an anchor defense up front.”

Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or @troyrenck