Nik Bonitto has become one of the most talked-about players in the Denver Broncos organization following an outstanding 2024 season. His impressive performance as an outside linebacker is generating both excitement and a complicated contract scenario for the Broncos as they face important extension negotiations in the coming months. With Bonitto coming off a season that earned him a Second Team All-Pro designation and a Pro Bowl appearance, the franchise now confronts the difficulty of keeping this rising star under contract without jeopardizing its salary cap flexibility.
Bonitto’s standout 2024 season draws league-wide attention
Throughout the 2024 campaign, Bonitto’s on-field explosiveness captured considerable acclaim. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN placed him among the top 10 players at his position, signaling his growing reputation. An anonymous AFC executive praised his combination of youth, agility, and speed, emphasizing his capacity to influence games as a dominant pass rusher.
“Young, athletic, upside, speed rusher, can impact game,”
the executive commented.
Broncos general manager George Paton shared similar enthusiasm, highlighting Bonitto’s work ethic and skill set as reasons for his rapid development.
“You look at the day-to-day, you look at the practice, and you look at the skill set,”
Paton said, adding,
“Nik, man, he always worked hard. You just – you felt like it would come, and he got his opportunity.”
His faith in Bonitto was evident when the Broncos parted ways with Baron Browning, signaling trust in Bonitto to take over a key defensive role.
Impressive statistics emphasize Bonitto’s value to the Broncos
Bonitto’s impact on the field was clear in his statistics. Leading Denver with a career-high 13.5 sacks, he ranked third in the entire NFL, a significant achievement reminiscent of former Broncos great Von Miller. In addition to his sack total, Bonitto recorded 48 tackles, contributed two forced fumbles, recovered one fumble, and even scored an interception touchdown. These numbers indicate his emergence as a game-changing defensive presence.
As highlighted by Nick Kosmider of The Athletic, Bonitto has accumulated 21.5 tackles for loss since the 2023 season, placing him among the league’s top 10 in that category. Considering he only became a full-time starter a month into last season, his potential ceiling remains exceptionally high. Entering contract negotiations, Bonitto is poised for an extension that could pay him over $20 million annually, a significant financial commitment.
Broncos confront complex financial choices amid multiple key player deals
Denver’s front office has recent experience managing contract extensions, having secured deals with Pat Surtain II and Quinn Meinerz last season. Paton’s openness to discussing new contracts during the current season signals the team‘s intent to retain Bonitto long-term. However, this process is complicated by the status of other key contributors, including fellow Second Team All-Pro Zach Allen, who also approaches the end of his contract.
Allen’s standout performance, particularly in executing rush schemes under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, further tightens the Broncos’ salary cap crunch. His role and production add another layer of complexity to the team’s financial puzzle. Bonitto has publicly supported Allen, stressing the latter’s value despite Allen ranking No. 90 on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
Strategic roster decisions will define Broncos’ future competitiveness
The Broncos face a critical balancing act: retaining their emerging defensive stars while maintaining sufficient salary cap flexibility to build a competitive squad. Making decisions that prioritize long-term success will require both precise planning and a degree of optimism about player development and health.
This period represents a significant crossroads for the franchise, where the choices made regarding Bonitto and Allen could either secure the foundation for sustained success or risk losing key contributors due to financial constraints. Fans and leadership alike will be closely watching how these negotiations unfold, hopeful that both players can remain central figures in Denver’s pursuit of future Super Bowl contention.