The Denver Broncos may have let the market pass them by, particularly when it comes to outside linebacker Nik Bonitto.
Coming off a Pro Bowl campaign with 13.5 sacks (third-most in the NFL in 2024) that also saw him earn Second Team All-Pro honors has only boosted Bonitto’s confidence. Moreover, recent deals for some of his peers may have boosted his bottom line.
For the Broncos, waiting could cost them millions of dollars.
“The edge market is kind of crazy right now,” Bonitto told reporters on July 20. “Just knowing that everybody’s getting these big deals, and it’s only getting bigger and bigger. And lucky for me, I’m in a good position right now, where the market’s kind of in my favor.”
The latest move working in Bonitto’s favor was Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis signing a four-year deal worth up to $93 million extension with $62 million guaranteed on Sunday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Bonitto’s four-year, $5.8 million Broncos contract ranks outside of the top 100 in total value, per Spotrac.
He also echoed that he was “upping the ante” with sacks after letting opponents “off the hook.”
Nik Bonitto Not Rushing Contract Extension
GettyNik Bonitto #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Bonitto spoke about his camp’s negotiations with the Broncos about an extension and when he hopes to get a deal done. The Broncos have been open to doing business during the season.
“Those type of talks are happening here right now, but I kind of just keep that with my agent,” Bonitto told those in attendance. “Just let him handle that. My focus is just winning and trying to get a championship.
Bonitto is not rushing the situation, though.
“No time period,” Bonitto said. “These things can happen tomorrow or happen months from now. So, I kind of just keep it day-by-day, and just keep the focus on football.”
Bonitto has drawn praise from Broncos general manager George Paton.
“You look at the day-to-day, you look at the practice, and you look at the skill set. Is there one trait? What’s the dominant trait? Nik Bonitto, man, we knew he had a dominant trait. When was it going to click? When was the light going to turn on? And so, you can see it in practice. You can see it by how, again, day-to-day, how they are in the weight room, in the conditioning drills,” Paton told reporters in March.
“Nik, man, he always worked hard. You just – you felt like it would come, and he got his opportunity. And, shoot, we traded a good player away in Baron Browning because we could see Nik in practice, what he was doing. And so, you just look for those little traits, and you just – it’s hard to give up on a player like that.”
Still, Bonitto has been left waiting like many of his teammates.
Broncos Must Address More Than Just Nick Bonitto
GettyDenver Broncos general manager George Paton speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Bonitto’s situation with the Broncos is getting attention amid the rash of pass rusher deals and those expected to come, but he is not alone. The Broncos must also address defensive linemen John Franklin-Myers and Zach Allen.
Allen was also a second-team All-Pro in 2024, but Franklin-Myers has been outspoken.
“One teams loss is another’s treasure, the Rams and Jets seen it!” Franklin-Myers posted on X on July 15 in response to a fan lamenting the situation and contract projections for the seventh-year veteran Best way to learn is from others mistakes, either way tho my time is coming regardless! #GodWins.”
Bonitto is younger than Allen and Franklin-Myers, and is also a former Broncos draft pick, unlike his teammates. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton was also drafted by the Broncos, but is older.
Bonitto is in a strong position, but the Broncos could also opt for the franchise tag next spring.
