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Broncos Predicted to Sign All-Pro Youngster to $20 Million Deal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated May 26, 2025 2:30 PM ET

The Denver Broncos defense was one of the best in the NFL last season, and that should be the team's strong suit again this year. With multiple star players on that side of the football, the Broncos eventually have to decide on some of them, including Nik Bonitto, an edge who is coming off a 13.5 sack season.

Earning a Pro Bowl nod, second Team All-Pro, and a top 10 finish in the Defensive Player of the Year voting, Bonitto looked to be a star in the making.

He came off an eight-sack season in 2023 and has only improved since his rookie season after being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.

And according to Moe Moton of Bleacher Report, the Broncos' biggest priority in the offseason has to be signing him, adding that he could command more than $20 million annually on a new contract.

“Bonitto is one of the league's most underrated pass-rushers. He has increased his sack total every year since his 2022 rookie campaign. Bonitto isn't on the same tier as star pass-rushers Micah Parsons, T.J. Watt and Aidan Hutchinson, who could soon sign megadeals. Yet, according to The Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson, the Pro Bowl pass-rusher could command more than $20 million annually on a new deal.

“With Bonitto coming off a 13.5-sack campaign, Denver should look to pay him this offseason because he can significantly increase his contract demands with another Pro Bowl year,” he wrote.

The Broncos have other contract decisions, but Bonitto should be among the first to sign an extension.

If they want to continue to have one of the top defenses in the NFL, they need the youngster around moving forward.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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