ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- For each of the last three seasons, the Denver Broncos have locked up a defensive starter to a contract extension as they approach a stretch drive.

Safety Darian Stewart joined Chris Harris Jr. and Derek Wolfe as players the Broncos have signed in a season’s stretch drive, long before the offseason began. Harris signed before the 2014 season was over and Wolfe signed last January.

“Any time I can take care of my family for the long haul, I’ll take it,’’ Stewart said this week. “That’s another reason I made this deal. My baby girl was born here. That was another reason I signed here.’’

Darian Stewart had two interceptions against the Saints on Nov. 13. Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports

A look at the numbers show Stewart’s four-year extension, which starts in 2017 and runs through the 2020 season, is for potentially $28 million with $17.5 million in possible guarantees -- $13 million was guaranteed at signing, including a $7 million signing bonus.

His base salary in 2017 -- $6 million – is included among the guarantees and his $4.5 million base salary in 2018 is guaranteed on the fifth day of the league year in March of 2018.

Stewart also has per-game bonuses -- $250,000 per game in 2019 to go with $750,000 per game in 2020 – in the final two years of the deal.

Stewart said he not only liked the numbers, but like Harris and Wolfe before him, Stewart said the Broncos’ success played a major role.

“It’s not always about the money,’’ Stewart said. “I love winning. I love everything we have within the organization, from the coaching staff, to the strength coaches, all the way down to the video guys. We have a good group of men here. I love being around them. I love coming to work with them every week.”

Stewart has started 24 games for the Broncos in the last two seasons and had two interceptions and a fumble recovery in the Broncos’ victory over the New Orleans Saints earlier this month.