Linebacker Nik Bonitto enters the 2025 NFL season after delivering his best performance to date with the Denver Broncos, establishing himself as a defensive leader. Throughout the previous year, Bonitto achieved career highs in multiple key statistics, making a strong case for increased playing time.
In 2024, Bonitto recorded 13.5 sacks, 48 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 24 quarterback hits, and forced two fumbles. He also caught his first interception and scored twice on defense, accomplishments that earned him a selection to the Pro Bowl and placement on the NFL’s All-Pro Second Team.
Increasing Snap Counts as a Factor in Bonitto’s Success
Bonitto’s expanded role on the field likely played a significant part in his statistical improvement. In 2023, he participated in 15 games and started four, playing 524 defensive snaps. That snap count rose sharply in 2024, as he started 15 games and appeared in two additional contests off the bench, totaling 761 snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
Despite the boost in playing time correlating with his standout season, Broncos head coach Sean Payton cautions against assuming that even more snaps will come for Bonitto next year.
Concerns Over Managing Playing Time to Preserve Health
During the team’s mandatory minicamp, Payton spoke to reporters about the importance of monitoring Bonitto’s snap count in 2025 to prevent fatigue and injury. He emphasized the need to balance his utilization wisely to maintain Bonitto’s health across the full season.
“He’s playing at a high level,”
Payton said, via Broncos Wire’s Jon Heath.
“We have to be careful of his snap count. If you went back and did any homework and you saw he’s at a pitch count that’s borderline too high. We have to be smart about that.”
Payton also highlighted the value of depth in the linebacker group, naming young talents like Jonathon Cooper, Dondrea Tillman, Jonah Elliss, and rookies Johnnny Walker Jr. and Que Robinson as players who could contribute significantly.
“We’re in a young developmental league. So, to have young guys that we have a vision for is extremely important because it’s hard for guys to stay healthy with a long season,”
Payton added.
“Your depth — you’re creating all of that.”
Bonitto’s Career Overview and the Road Ahead
Selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft (64th overall), Nik Bonitto has appeared in 47 professional games. Over that span, he has accumulated 23 sacks, 92 tackles, and 30 tackles for loss, solidifying his status as a key defensive player for the Broncos.
Although his 2024 season marked a breakout, the upcoming campaign presents new challenges as the team aims to distribute snaps more evenly to keep its core players healthy. Managing Bonitto’s workload will be crucial to sustaining his high level of play and avoiding potential burnout. The development of younger linebackers suggests that the Broncos have contingency plans to share the defensive responsibilities heading into 2025.