Broncos’ latest $120 million signing shares message with fans, all-in on 2025 season

Broncos sign outside linebacker Nik Bonitto to a four-year, $120 million contract after a breakout season

Nik Bonitto has been quietly developing into a star for several years now.

He broke into the Oklahoma Sooners starting rotation in the 2019 season, but only managed one sack that year with their defense.

The following season he stepped that up to five sacks, and in the 2021 season, he managed eight before declaring for the 2022 NFL draft.

Bonitto came into the league as an outside linebacker who got after the passer in a 3-4 system, but could also play against the run.

The Denver Broncos drafted Bonitto late in the second round of the 2022 draft. GM George Paton saw him as a difference maker on their defense, and he’s continued to go from strength-to-strength since getting into the league.

Despite being drafted during a previous regime, Bonitto has become one of the standout playmakers on Sean Payton’s roster.

He went from two sacks in 2022 to nine in 2023, and had a major breakout year with a team-leading 13.5 in the 2024 season.

Sean Payton understands the pressure on the Broncos in 2025, but it starts with having your stars locked in long term.

This week, the Broncos rewarded Bonitto with a brand new extension, signing him to a four-year, $120 million deal with $70 million guaranteed.

Considering the going rate for pass rushers this offseason, the Broncos saved a huge amount on one of the brightest young talents in the game.

Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, and Micah Parsons all signed for $40+ million per year, and the Broncos just locked their primary pass rusher up for $30 million per.

Bonitto posted on X shortly afterwards, saying:

“Let’s go win this —— chip now!”

Bonitto was one of three Broncos defensive players to reach at least eight sacks last season, in one of the most dominant defenses in football.

The defensive end recorded sacks in six straight games early in the year, had a two-sack game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11, and ended the year with two against the Kansas City Chiefs in the final game of the regular season.

Broncos’ defense was great last year, and got a lot better in the offseason

The Denver Broncos were among those in consideration for the best defense in 2024. They had the Defensive Player of the Year in lockdown cornerback Pat Surtain II, three high-performing pass rushing defenders, and a budding star in safety Brandon Jones.

This offseason they made two marquee signings in free agency, adding former San Francisco 49ers stars Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw to their ranks.

Denver then spent their first-round draft pick on cornerback Jahdae Barron, who has a unique approach to playing DB, and will now suit up alongside Surtain in pass coverage.