It’s time to give Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto the recognition he deserves. As legendary rapper/producer Birdman would say, it’s time to “put some respect” on Bonitto’s name.
In his third season, the former second-round pick has elevated his game to a whole new level, playing himself into a potential future payday. Bonitto has made an impact with back-to-back defensive touchdowns, including a 50-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15, after intercepting a lateral pass. In Week 13, he returned an interception for 71 yards for another touchdown in a victory over the Cleveland Browns, with the Broncos taking their bye in Week 14.
Through 14 games, Bonitto has accumulated 41 tackles and ranks second in the NFL with 11.5 sacks. The Broncos are 9-5, having clinched their first winning record since 2016 with the win over the Colts. They now have a 91 percent chance of making the AFC playoffs, according to NFL.com.
“It’s time we start talking about Nik Bonitto as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate,” said Bleav in Broncos’ Patrick Chiotti on December 15. “He’s made the leap from Year 2 to Year 3 and is now an elite defensive player.”
Bonitto’s Path to Denver: A Surprising Twist
When the Broncos traded 4-time NFL All-Pro linebacker Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams in November 2021, they received a 2022 second and third-round pick. They later traded away the third-round pick but used the second-round pick to select Bonitto at No. 64 overall from Oklahoma.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein noted Bonitto’s athleticism, describing him as a dynamic pass rusher with impressive speed, flexibility, and rush counters. Despite being an undersized edge rusher, Bonitto’s talent was evident, and he has since evolved into one of the NFL’s top defenders.
Bonitto’s Rise to NFL Stardom
Bonitto’s breakout season has positioned him to become one of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive players. As of 2024, the top 10 highest-paid edge rushers have an average salary of $128.5 million, a stark contrast to the 4-year, $5.8 million rookie contract Bonitto signed in 2022. With one year left on his rookie deal, he’s poised for a significant pay raise after this season.
Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph saw potential in Bonitto before the season started, calling him “special” and predicting he could become a star pass rusher. With his impressive performance in 2023, Bonitto is proving Joseph’s prediction right and setting himself up for a big future.
