Latest news with #Bonitto
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Contract Proposed for Broncos' All-Pro Edge Rusher Nik Bonitto
New Contract Proposed for Broncos' All-Pro Edge Rusher Nik Bonitto originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Led by edge rusher Nik Bonitto, the Denver Broncos had one of the NFL's top defenses in 2024, allowing just 18.3 points per game. Advertisement Bonitto led the Broncos with 13.5 of the team's 63 sacks, on his way to a second-team All-Pro season and Pro Bowl appearance in 2024. That was a major jump in production from 1.5 sacks in his rookie season in 2022 and eight sacks in 2023. It may surprise you to hear that Bonitto was third in the NFL in sacks, just behind the highly-paid Miles Garrett (14) and Trey Hendrickson (17.5). Hendrickson is holding out for an extension right now, and according to Tom Blair of Bonitto should be too. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) tries to avoid a tackle by Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images The 25-year-old out of Oklahoma was a second-round pick in 2022. He is still on his rookie contract, which means he is making less than $1.5 million this season. Advertisement Here is how Blair breaks it down. "Dividing Bonitto's APY [$1.45 million] by his team-leading 13.5 sacks in 2024 works out to $107,407 per sack in APY. That might seem like a decent amount, until you put it next to Trey Hendrickson's APY-per-sack mark of $1.2 million," Blair wrote. Throw in the fact that Blair believes Hendrickson is currently underpaid, which means Bonitto is making almost 10 times less than he could be. It might be hard to convince the Broncos to put an extension together with such a cheap deal. However, Bonitto's contract ends after the 2025-2026 season, which means the Broncos will have to pay up anyway if they want to keep the star defender going forward. Advertisement It will be up to head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton to decide if Related: Broncos Suggested to Trade for Former 1,000-Yard RB This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Broncos' Nik Bonitto has wild response to PFF snub
The post Broncos' Nik Bonitto has wild response to PFF snub appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Denver Broncos are riding high after snapping their playoff drought in 2024, but linebacker Nik Bonitto is still playing with something to prove. Despite elite production, Bonitto was left off Pro Football Focus' top 10 rankings for interior defensive linemen — and he wasted no time sharing his thoughts on social media. Advertisement Bonitto quote-tweeted PFF's post on X, formerly known as Twitter, firing back with a simple yet cutting reply. '🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 not serious' The timing of Bonitto's post couldn't be sharper. As the 2025 NFL offseason unfolds, the former Oklahoma star is coming off his third season — and by far his most dominant. Bonitto logged 13.5 sacks in 2024, ranking third in the league behind only Trey Hendrickson and Myles Garrett, and earned second-team All-Pro honors while anchoring the Broncos defense. Despite those accomplishments, PFF left the pass rusher off its top 10 rankings — a move many viewed as a snub. While the list technically highlighted interior linemen, the omission stirred debate, especially considering Bonitto's elite 92.6 coverage grade — the highest among all edge defenders. Advertisement The PFF edge rusher rankings for 2025 also placed Bonitto 23rd overall, a placement that feels low given his sack production, versatility, and overall impact on the field. His performance helped lead a defensive turnaround in Denver, as the Broncos ended the 2024 season with a 10-7 record and snapped their postseason drought. While they fell short in the Wild Card round against Buffalo, the team made massive strides under head coach Sean Payton and rookie quarterback Bo Nix. The former Oregon standout showed poise throughout the year, giving fans hope that Denver finally has long-term stability at the position. Bonitto's snub may be frustrating, but it's not unfamiliar. He's continued to rise each year since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. His growth into a defensive leader was on full display last season — both on the field and off. From a pick-six to a youth charity event in Denver, Bonitto's impact extends far beyond just stats. If this offseason proves anything, it's that Bonitto isn't going to quietly accept being overlooked. And come September, the Broncos defense might just let the tape speak louder than any rankings.
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nik Bonitto responds to DeMarcus Ware's player comparisons
Nik Bonitto responds to DeMarcus Ware's player comparisons During an appearance on FanDuel TV's Up & Adams show last week, Pro Football Hall of Fame pass rusher DeMarcus Ware had high praise for current Denver Broncos edge defender Nik Bonitto. "He reminded me of like a combination of Shaq Barrett and Von Miller," Ware told Adams. "Like Shaq Barrett, he's more like a solid block -- a solid guy, really fast -- but had the quickness of Von. "With Von, Von was more of a lean guy, but when you have a combination of power and speed -- [Bonitto] has both of those -- that's why I say he can repeat [his 2024 season].... He can do it again because he has all the attributes to be a great player and to be consistent." Ware, Miller and Barrett won Super Bowl 50 together with the Broncos. Ware retired one year later and Barrett (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Miller (Los Angeles Rams) went on to win additional Super Bowls. Bonitto clearly appreciated Ware's endorsement, tweeting: "Legend 🙏." Bonitto also wrote: "The ones who have played the game will tell you the real 🤞🏽." Bonitto is coming off a 13.5-sack season, and he's entering the final year of his contract. The 25-year-old pass rusher is now seeking a big contract extension from the Broncos. Ware certainly seems to believe Bonitto is worthy of a big raise. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Nik Bonitto's sending a clear message to Broncos on social media
Nik Bonitto's sending a clear message to Broncos on social media Nik Bonitto is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and his social media activity suggests he wants the Denver Broncos to give him an extension sooner rather than later. In March, Bonitto retweeted a message from Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson that questioned why teams wait to give extensions to their players. "[T]he price only gets steeper," Jefferson tweeted. More recently, former Broncos defensive end Trevor Pryce threw support behind Bonitto's cause. "He's going to ask for the bag and he deserves it… Sign him right now because the price is just going to go up," Pryce said in an interview with the Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson. "What are you waiting for?" Bonitto responded to that message with a "💯" emoji. Yesterday, after Super Bowl 50 champion DeMarcus Ware praised Bonitto during an interview on the Up and Adams show, Kay Adams tweeted: "Write the check, @Broncos!!!" This was Bonitto's response: Bonitto's message has been clear: The longer Denver waits to pay him, the higher his price will be. Speaking at the NFL combine earlier this offseason, Broncos general manager George Paton said re-signing Bonitto is a priority. Bringing him back beyond the 2025 season will be costly. After he totaled 13.5 sacks and scored two defensive touchdowns last season, negotiations with Bonitto are expected to start at $23 million per season. has estimated Bonitto has a market value of $25.5 million. In addition to Bonitto, Denver also has wide receiver Courtland Sutton and defensive linemen Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers (among others) scheduled to become free agents in 2026. The Broncos might not be able to re-sign all of them, so the front office will have some tough decisions to make in the coming months. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Broncos' Nik Bonitto Gets Positive Contract Update
Pro Bowler Nik Bonitto and the Denver Broncos have a contract situation to figure out, something the team needs to address before he hits free agency after the season. Bonitto, who was one of the top linebackers in football last season for the Broncos, finished on the second team All-Pro list and was a candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award, finishing ninth. With 13.5 sacks, 48 tackles, two forced fumbles, four pass deflections, and an interception for good measure, Bonitto did it all. Advertisement With his contract situation still being unresolved, it was reported on Tuesday that the team is looking to get something done in the near future. According to the Denver Gazette, the Broncos linebacker is looking for a deal in 'excess of $20 million per season.' Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) celebrates his Chenoy-Imagn Images 'Now, Bonitto, who has one year left on his contract, is eligible for a lucrative extension, and the Broncos are having discussions about it. A source said Bonitto is seeking in excess of $20 million per season. In the meantime, he reported for the April 21 start of offseason drills and is waiting to see how the process unfolds,' they wrote. Advertisement $20 million per season for one of the better linebackers in the National Football League seems like a fair deal. Contracts are only getting more expensive, and the longer the Broncos wait, the more Bonitto will be. If the team wants to get a deal done over the next year, doing so now might be the better plan. Allowing other linebackers to sign more lucrative deals before next offseason will only require Denver to give up more in a deal. Related: Broncos' Alex Singleton Has Lofty Goal For 2025 Defense
