Broncos Lock Up Nik Bonitto With $120M Extension
The Denver Broncos have made a major move to secure one of their brightest young stars, and it comes with a massive price tag. Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto has officially agreed to a four-year contract extension that could be worth as much as $120 million. Of that total, $70 million is guaranteed, and the deal includes a base value of $106 million. When you break it down, the extension averages $26.5 million per season, which places Bonitto among the top 10 highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL.
Now, Bonitto is only 25 years old, and what makes this deal significant is the timing. He was entering the final year of his rookie contract, but the Broncos had no intention of letting him even come close to free agency. After a breakout campaign in 2024, one that earned him a Pro Bowl nod, Denver decided to make him a long-term cornerstone of their defense.
Also Read:Last season was really the turning point for him. It was his first year as a full-time starter, and he didn’t just rise to the occasion — he dominated. Bonitto racked up 13.5 sacks, 48 tackles, and even returned an interception for a 71-yard touchdown. That pick-six against the Colts was one of those moments that made people realize just how disruptive he could be. His sack total ranked third in the entire league, and he also finished near the top in quarterback hits and tackles for loss. Those numbers, combined with Denver’s defensive resurgence — they were ranked third in points allowed — helped push the Broncos into the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
This extension also fits into a larger pattern for Denver. The team has been working to lock in the core of its defense, handing out deals to cornerback Patrick Surtain II and pass rushers Jonathon Cooper and Zach Allen in the past year. Bonitto, however, is seen as the centerpiece of this new-era Orange Crush defense. Over his first three seasons, he’s totaled 23 sacks, 92 tackles, and four forced fumbles, but it’s clear that his ceiling is even higher after the leap he made last season.
From Denver’s perspective, this is both a reward and an investment. Bonitto was set to make just $5.3 million in base salary this year, but now he’s secured generational wealth and long-term stability. And for the Broncos, locking him up before the season starts eliminates any distraction as they prepare for what could be a pivotal year.
Denver opens the season on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, and Bonitto will take the field not only as one of the team’s most important defensive players, but now also as one of the highest-paid. It’s a clear statement from the Broncos: their defense is the identity of this team, and Nik Bonitto is right at the heart of it.
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