The Denver Broncos have taken an aggressive stance this offseason, but that energy hasn’t necessarily extended to some of their own players—particularly edge rusher Nik Bonitto. Bonitto is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and is set to hit free agency after the 2025 season.
Despite that, Bonitto feels his best football is still ahead of him.
“Fam 🤞 only the beginning!” Bonitto wrote on X on March 23, reposting a highlight video of his play that was originally shared by well-known pass rush specialist Brandon Jordan.
Nik Bonitto wrapped up a standout season, finishing third in the NFL with a career-best 13.5 sacks. His breakout year earned him both Pro Bowl honors and a spot on the second-team All-Pro roster. Now, he’s heading into the final season of his four-year, $5.8 million rookie deal.
The Broncos drafted Bonitto with the 64th overall pick in 2022, and he’s steadily developed into a key piece of their defense.
In his first year as a full-time starter, Bonitto nearly doubled his previous sack total of 8.0 from 2023. If Denver delays extending him, they risk facing an even steeper price tag down the line.
Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto Expected to Command $23-Plus Million Annually
Zac Stevens of DNVR Broncos shed some light on what contract negotiations between the Broncos and Nik Bonitto’s camp might entail.
Per Stevens, “Sources around the league believe discussions for Bonitto’s extension will likely begin at around $23 million per year on a multi-year deal,” he reported on X back on March 5. Stevens also noted that an extension could be reached as early as this offseason.
However, Stevens pointed out the delicate balance Denver faces when it comes to Bonitto’s future, weighing the risk of paying now versus potentially dealing with a higher price tag later.
On the March 5 episode of the “DNVR Broncos Podcast,” Zac Stevens broke down the high-stakes gamble the Broncos are facing with Nik Bonitto’s potential extension.
“You look at the top pass rushers—Nick Bosa is making $35 million a year,” Stevens said. “If Bonitto keeps producing top-three sack numbers and you lock him in at $23 million annually, that’s like hitting the jackpot on that deal.”
“But,” Stevens cautioned, “if you give him $23 million and he ends up being more of a 6-sack player, that’s going to be a tough pill to swallow given the lack of production.”
For now, Bonitto, like several other Broncos, could find himself stuck in limbo as the team weighs its next move.
Broncos Expected to Hold Off on Veteran Contract Extensions
Several key starters—Alex Singleton, Courtland Sutton, Luke Wattenberg, John Franklin-Myers, and Zach Allen—are also in a holding pattern as they await clarity on the Broncos’ offseason plans.
Nick Kosmider of The Athletic recently pointed out that Denver is expected to return its entire defensive line after an impressive 2024 season. The Broncos set a franchise record with 63 sacks, leading the NFL, and finished second against the run.
“That kind of success has a number of players understandably looking for new deals,” Kosmider wrote on March 17. “One thing to watch: If Denver doesn’t go after an offensive playmaker in the first round, they could be in line to select one of the top defensive linemen in the draft.”
Kosmider also suggested it’s unlikely the Broncos make any major decisions on extensions until after the draft concludes.
Adding to the complexity, the Broncos are deep at edge rusher. Nik Bonitto is paired with Jonathon Cooper, while Dondrea Tillman and 2024 third-rounder Jonah Elliss provide solid depth behind them.
Cooper secured a four-year, $54 million extension in 2024 after building on his 8.5-sack campaign with another strong season, finishing with 10.5 sacks. If the Broncos decide to extend Bonitto as well, they’ll be investing substantial capital into their edge rusher group—though it’s a premium position that’s critical to their defensive success.
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