Broncos' MVP Debate Highlights Nik Bonitto’s Breakout, Bo Nix’s Ascent, and a Defense-First Identity
Picking a team MVP is usually a no-brainer in the NFL. Nine times out of ten, you start with the quarterback and work your way down. But in Denver this season, things aren’t quite that simple-and that’s not a bad thing.
Yes, rookie quarterback Bo Nix has had his moments. He’s delivered some thrilling comebacks and flashed the kind of poise that makes you think the Broncos may have finally found their long-term answer under center.
But there’s also been inconsistency-stretches where the timing was off, the reads were late, or the offense just couldn’t get into rhythm. So while Nix is certainly in the conversation, he’s not the slam-dunk pick.
That brings us to the other side of the ball, where Denver’s defense has been the real backbone of the team’s resurgence. And if you’re looking for the heartbeat of that unit, linebacker Nik Bonitto has a strong case to be the Broncos' MVP.
Bonitto has been everywhere this season-rushing the passer, blowing up run plays, dropping into coverage, and making impact plays when the Broncos needed them most. His 12.5 sacks jump off the stat sheet, but it’s the 80 “splash plays” (as tracked by TruMedia) that really tell the story.
These are the momentum-shifting moments-pressures, tackles for loss, forced fumbles-that don’t always show up in the box score but change games. And Bonitto has been stacking them week after week.
It’s no coincidence that Denver’s defense has fueled their rise in the AFC standings. The Broncos have rattled off an 11-game win streak, and even in their two losses, they were right there-falling short by a combined four points.
That’s the margin of elite defense. That’s the kind of consistency Bonitto has helped bring to the table.
One of the defining moments of the season came in an overtime win against the Commanders, when a clutch pass deflection sealed a 27-26 victory. It wasn’t flashy, but it was the kind of gritty, game-saving play that’s become a calling card for this Broncos defense.
So when Nik Bonitto was named Denver’s MVP in a recent power rankings feature, it wasn’t just a nod to his stats-it was a recognition of how central he’s been to everything the Broncos have built this season.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Despite Denver’s resume, they were ranked second in those same power rankings-behind the Los Angeles Rams.
That raised some eyebrows, especially given that Denver has the better record. It’s hard not to see a bit of offensive bias at play here, with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford putting up big numbers and grabbing headlines.
But that also speaks to the bigger question around Denver: how much trust does Bo Nix command on a national level?
Nix was sharp in Sunday’s win over the Packers, showing off the accuracy, mobility, and decision-making that made him a first-round pick. But for some analysts, it’s not about one game-it’s about stacking consistent, complete performances.
That’s the next step for Nix. And it’s the hurdle he’ll have to clear if the Broncos are going to move from being a great story to a legitimate Super Bowl threat.
He’ll get another shot to do just that this weekend when Denver hosts the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s a compelling quarterback matchup, with Nix going head-to-head against Trevor Lawrence, who’s been heating up in recent weeks. For Nix, it’s another chance to show that he’s not just riding the wave of a strong defense-he’s helping lead the charge.
Bottom line: the Broncos are winning with defense, and Nik Bonitto is at the center of it. But if Bo Nix can find that next gear, Denver might just have the balance to make a serious run.