Kyle Shanahan reacts to Nik Bonitto blowing up a 49ers drive
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto had a dominating series against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday evening. Bonitto sacked quarterback Mac Jones on first down, shared a sack with John Franklin-Myers on second down, then forced an incompletion on third down. The edge defender essentially killed a 49ers drive single-handedly.
'I mean, he did ruin that whole series," Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said of Bonitto following a 30-9 loss.
Bonitto was going up against fourth-year tackle Spencer Burford, but Shanahan did not attribute all of the blame to the backup offensive lineman.
"One was on our tight end going across the formation," Shanahan explained. "He just played pass all the way, so that wasn't on a tackle, but it was three plays in a row. The next two plays, we went on the quick count and were lined up wrong. So, he was able to jump to the snap. So, I thought that was a little tough for Spence.
"Then on the third down, we had a bust by a player who was supposed to be outside presence on him. Spence wasexpecting a chip, so he was just sitting there inside out, and there was no guy there. Bonitto is a hell of a player. We knew that would be a challenge. But I thought those three plays in a row were a little unfair to Spence.'
After finishing the game with a tackle behind the line and 1.5 sacks, Bonitto spoke with Scotty Gange of 9News.
Bonitto, 25, is coming off his first career Pro Bowl selection and a second-team All-Pro nod last fall. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Bonitto is seeking a big contract extension. Fans in Denver will hope he gets one.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
20 minutes ago
- USA Today
New theory casts familiar but unfair spotlight on a Ravens mainstay
Recent speculation puts a familiar, yet unfair, focus on a Ravens veteran. As much as we're all eagerly awaiting the Baltimore Ravens' regular season and a Week 1 primetime affair vs. the Buffalo Bills, we'd be willing to place a wager. No one would love to get back on the field and wipe the slate clean more than Mark Andrews does. The conversations about him have gone on since time ran out on the Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round. Most know why. That angle has been overmentioned. Three months later, it's still hard to bring him up without someone mentioning what happened during the most recent Ravens playoff push. Here's what some don't understand. No one feels worse about the Mark Andrews drop than Mark Andrews himself. What's worse is he'd better be ready. As he enters his eighth season, he's probably going to hear more about it. No, wait. He already has. An unfair spotlight returns to Ravens veteran as a recent theory gains traction ESPN recently offered 2025 NFL power rankings. That attached an intriguing question. Who is under the most pressure on each team this season? Jamison Hensley is among the NFL Nation reporters who contributed. You've probably already guessed who he mentioned, correct? Here is what he had to say about tight end Mark Andrews. "He is entering the final season of his four-year, $56 million contract after dropping a critical two-point conversion in a 27-25 division round loss to Buffalo. Andrews led all TEs with 11 touchdowns last season, but he averaged 39.6 receiving yards per game in 2024, his worst total since his 2018 rookie season." It's easy to agree with and against this theory, but for different reasons on both sides. Make no mistake. Andrews is under a lot of pressure, but so is everyone else. This team is too talented to endure early exits during every postseason. Baltimore's longtime tight end is also in a contract season, along with fellow TEs Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, but being at the end of his current deal isn't why Andrews is mentioned here. If we're being honest, sure, Andrews' drop and fumble in last January's Divisional Round game are just as much a part of this team's history as missed field goals in Foxborough and bombs in the Mile High City. It still isn't fair to describe those low moments as if they are the only parts of his legacy. He has been a great Raven. Three Pro Bowl mentions since 2018 and a First-Team All-Pro nod aren't on his resume for no reason. No one wants to redeem himself more than Andrews. Many believe he will, and for good reason. Cue the season-long revenge tour.
USA Today
20 minutes ago
- USA Today
A'ja Wilson is a chaos agent in the 2025 WNBA MVP race
Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson could pull off a photo finish upset in the 2025 WNBA MVP race. For months, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier has been arguably the best player in the league. Collier came out of the gates with intensity and helped Minnesota establish the best record in the WNBA (28-6), including winning nine straight games to open the season. The Aces? Not so much. Their slow start to the season and 11 losses before the All-Star break did them little favors. Not to mention, Wilson also had a rough start and missed several games with injuries. However, now it's Collier who's out with an injury, and her absence has left the door open for other players to creep into the MVP conversation. WNBA PLAYOFF PICTURE 2025: 6 spicy storylines as postseason nears What helps a player get MVP consideration? Averaging a double-double and ranking second in the WNBA in points per game, rebounds per game and blocks per game. Wilson also has eight matchups where she scored 30 or more points this season, including 32 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks and four assists against the Atlanta Dream Tuesday night. Not impressed? What about averaging 26.9 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.9 blocks during the Aces' league-leading eight-game win streak? Wilson hasn't just entered the chat; she's become a full-on chaos agent in the MVP race. There's still a great chance that Collier wins the MVP race, but Wilson is causing enough commotion right now to make voters think twice about who should be MVP. If Wilson continues on her current incredible tear and Las Vegas climbs into the top-three spots in the league standings ― As of this publishing, the Aces are fifth ― she could win her *checks notes* fourth MVP award, the most in WNBA history. Don't sleep on A'ja Wilson.
Newsweek
21 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Brewers Skipper Sends Kyle Tucker Message After Cubs Slugger Hits New Low
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Chicago Cubs made a surprising move with their superstar slugger after he reached a career low, and it has garnered a strong reaction from the leader of their hated rival. After acquiring outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros via trade for his contract season, the Cubs opted to give the slugger a mental reset after a hot start devolved into a career-worst slump at the plate. After earning his fourth consecutive All-Star bid earlier this year, Tucker was slashing just .184/.333/.211 with no home runs across 28 days before being benched. "The situation has turned ugly, with Tucker getting booed at Wrigley Field for not producing and not running to first base," Patrick Mooney wrote for The Athletic. "His numbers since the beginning of July are disappointing and conspicuous, especially given the current gap in the National League Central between the Cubs and (Milwaukee) Brewers." As the Cubs continue a series against the division rival Brewers without Tucker, Milwaukee's skipper Pat Murphy spoke out about the reset, claiming there is more going on than the Cubs are letting on. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 05: Manager Pat Murphy #49 of the Milwaukee Brewers looks on from the dugout prior to facing the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on August 05, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo... ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 05: Manager Pat Murphy #49 of the Milwaukee Brewers looks on from the dugout prior to facing the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on August 05, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) More Cox/Getty "I think Tucker is hurt," Murphy said during an appearance on WSCR-AM 670 The Score Chicago. "I don't have any information, but Tucker's not the same. He's hurt, and he's playing through it. He's such a class kid that he probably doesn't mention it to anyone." Cubs fans might have mixed feelings to hear that their star player could be dealing with an injury, rather than merely a mental slump. On the one hand, a physical issue might be more directly addressed. On the other, it could mean Tucker takes longer to recover and return to the lineup. Either way, it seems like the Cubs will need their star outfielder back sooner rather than later if they are going to have a chance of challenging the Brewers for the division. Whether it's a mental or physical problem, the team is hoping Tucker can recover quickly and get back to his All-Star form at the plate. More MLB: Phillies' Rob Thomson Has Telling Comment on Jordan Romano with Roster Spot Uncertain
