Latest news with #Bonitto
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Oklahoma Sooners linebacker makes NFL Top 100
Former Oklahoma Sooners outside linebacker Nik Bonitto enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 with the Denver Broncos. The former second-round pick made the Pro Bowl and was a second-team all-pro, both for the first time after the year, and another first came on Tuesday. Bonitto was named to the NFL's Top 100 players for 2025 list for the first time, checking in at No. 38. He shot into the rankings after a breakout season in 2024. Bonitto posted 13.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in 2024, helping Denver return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015. He'd been a spot starter for his first two seasons with the Broncos, but is now a core member of one of the league's best defenses. Bonitto played for the Sooners from 2018 to 2021. As a redshirt freshman in 2019, he had 3.5 sacks, becoming a starter mid-season. He had the game-clinching interception of Baylor's Charlie Brewer in OU's historic come-from-behind victory in Waco. Bonitto earned second-team All-Big 12 honors and was a second-team All-American in 2020 after posting 7.5 sacks, and was second-team All-Big 12 and a third-team All-American in 2021 after finishing with seven sacks. He was a playmaker for the Alex Grinch defenses, one of a small handful of players who excelled on that side of the ball. The Broncos took Bonitto with the 64th overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he waited his turn in Denver before bursting onto the scene last year. Bonitto is the fifth former Sooner to make the list this summer. He joins Kansas City's Creed Humphrey, Houston's Joe Mixon, Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield and San Francisco's Trent Williams. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Broncos have a 3rd player make NFL Top 100 list
One of the biggest compliments one can have is respect from your peers; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto did everything he could to earn it in spades in 2024. In NFL Network's list of Top 100 players, as voted on by players, Bonitto came in at No. 38 (after being unranked last year). Bonitto, in his third year as a pro, started 15 games, participating in all 18 contests for the Broncos. Bonitto racked up 13.5 sacks, forced two fumbles, had a pick-six, a fumble returned for a touchdown and 48 total tackles (33 solo, 15 assisted) and 16 tackles for loss. Bonitto's huge year in 2024 will hopefully act as a springboard to only get better as he seeks a new contract beyond the 2025 season. Bonitto is the third Bronco (so far) on the Top 100 list, alongside quarterback Bo Nix (No. 64) and defensive lineman Zach Allen (No. 90), with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain certain to join them on the list and guard Quinn Meinerz deserving a spot as well. Watch the full video honoring Bonitto's accomplishments below: Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How to watch the Broncos 2025 preseason Week 2 vs. Cardinals with TV info, kickoff time, and viewing options
How to watch the Broncos 2025 preseason Week 2 vs. Cardinals with TV info, kickoff time, and viewing options originally appeared on A to Z Sports. Denver Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton wasn't too thrilled with the team despite scoring 30 unanswered points in their victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 of the NFL preseason. Bonitto was a man possessed, Stidham looked sharp, and RJ Harvey looked as both the first team offense and defense getting some of the rust off, this will give fans and the organization another look at some of the top players heading into the season. Here's everything you need to know to be able to tune in to the upcoming preseason matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos. How to watch Broncos vs Cardinals preseason Week 2: Date: Aug. 16, 2025 Time: 9:30 p.m. ET Location: Empower Field at Mile High TV Channel: KUSA (channel 9) for local markets, and NFL Network for national markets Radio: KOA (850 AM/94.1 FM) in Denver Streaming services: 9NEWS+ streaming app (if local) and NFL+ WR Pat Bryant: Bryant caught both of his targets for 21 yards in the first preseason matchup. The 22-year-old rookie played 34 offensive snaps, which was the most by any Broncos wide receiver during the contest. While the team has its top option locked up in Courtland Sutton and has brought in some reinforcements with Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, and Troy Franklin, Bryant is looking to carve out a role for himself, and we cannot wait to see what he does in the contest against the Cardinals. RB RJ Harvey: Harvey showed promise in limited reps during his first preseason action. When the Denver Broncos drafted him, fans were more than excited to see what his speed could add to the current offense. We didn't have to wait long, as even in limited reps, Harvey showcased that speed by burning around the corner for a decent gain. The one-two punch of JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey looks to be an exciting tandem heading into the regular season. Here's hoping we get more of a look at what both running backs can do with Bo Nix leading the charge. LB Nik Bonitto: Bonitto sent a clear message in just one preseason game: he's ready to light the league on fire. Hitting resume on an impressive 2024 campaign, Bonitto being a game wrecker this early in the preseason is a welcome sign for Broncos fans. While we may only get a series or two, all eyes are going to be on the superstar pass rusher anytime he shows up in the game. We just love watching this dude play football. With the season just weeks away, the sky is the limit for this current Denver Broncos part of the A to Z Sports community and vote in our latest Denver Broncos poll as the preseason gets underway. This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
10-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kyle Shanahan reacts to Nik Bonitto blowing up a 49ers drive
Yeah, Nik Bonitto against backups isn't going to end well. 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.
USA Today
31-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Contract extension updates for 3 key Broncos players
After the Denver Broncos gave a four-year contract extension to wide receiver Courtland Sutton earlier this week, attention quickly turned to the team's other players currently scheduled to become free agents in 2026. Among the notable players entering the final years of their contracts are defensive lineman Zach Allen, pass rusher Nik Bonitto and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers. Denver has already started negotiations with Bonitto, and he recently told the Denver Post he has faith a deal will get done. Franklin-Myers, meanwhile, does not expect to get an extension before the season, according to the Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson. The Broncos have not started negotiations with JFM, according to Tomasson, as the team focuses on potential extensions for Bonitto and Allen. JFM totaled 40 tackles, 18 quarterback hits and seven sacks in Denver last fall. He's certainly worthy of an extension (and a raise), but the Broncos might not be able to re-sign everyone. It's still possible that extension talks could begin during the season. For now, though, it sounds like JFM isn't on the verge of a new deal. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
