Broncos Expected to Offer Rising Star Over $20 Million Contract
The Denver Broncos had one of the NFL’s top defensive units last season, and that strength is expected to continue into the upcoming year. With numerous standout players on defense, the team faces critical decisions regarding contract extensions—particularly for edge rusher Nik Bonitto, who is coming off a breakout 13.5-sack season.
Bonitto’s performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection, a spot on the Second-Team All-Pro list, and a top 10 finish in the Defensive Player of the Year race, solidifying his reputation as a rising star. After notching eight sacks in 2023, the former second-round pick from the 2022 draft has consistently improved year over year.
According to Moe Moton of Bleacher Report, securing Bonitto with a new contract should be Denver’s top offseason priority. It’s projected that he could command a salary exceeding $20 million annually.
NFL analyst Chris Tomasson from The Denver Gazette echoed this sentiment, highlighting Bonitto’s steady rise and the potential for his market value to increase even more with another Pro Bowl-caliber season. Though not yet at the elite level of pass-rushers like Micah Parsons, T.J. Watt, or Aidan Hutchinson—who are likely to land massive deals—Bonitto is rapidly approaching that tier.
Given his recent success, Denver would be wise to negotiate an extension sooner rather than later. While the Broncos have several key contract decisions to make, locking in Bonitto should be among the first steps if they hope to maintain a dominant defense moving forward.
