The Denver Broncos have been busy locking down key pieces of their roster this season, handing out extensions to players like Courtland Sutton and Zach Allen. More recently, they’ve kept kicker Wil Lutz, center Luke Wattenberg, and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach in-house with new deals. But let’s be honest-those moves, while important, pale in comparison to the one that could define the next era of Broncos defense.
That move? Securing edge rusher Nik Bonitto with a four-year deal worth up to $120 million.
Yes, it’s a big number. But in today’s NFL, elite pass rushers don’t come cheap-and Bonitto is proving he’s worth every penny.
Waiting would’ve been a gamble. With the way he’s played the last two seasons, there’s no doubt another team would’ve come calling with a monster offer.
Denver made the smart move by getting ahead of it.
Bonitto’s rise has been impressive. He’s the first Bronco since Von Miller to post double-digit sacks in back-to-back seasons-a stat that speaks volumes in a city that still reveres Miller’s dominance.
And it’s not just the numbers. It’s the moments.
The plays that swing games, that close the door when it matters most.
Take Sunday night, for example. With the game on the line against the Washington Commanders, Bonitto delivered the kind of clutch defensive play that turns good players into franchise cornerstones.
He came flying off the edge, beat his man clean, and made the game-sealing play-no hesitation, no doubt. Just a pure, explosive finish that reminded everyone watching why Denver was willing to invest so heavily in him.
This is what you pay for-impact. Not just production, but presence. A guy who can tilt the field, force offenses to adjust, and give your defense an identity.
Bonitto has grown into that role. He’s not just a promising young pass rusher anymore-he’s the guy offenses have to game plan for. And for a Broncos team that’s trying to reestablish its defensive swagger, that kind of player is invaluable.
So while extensions for solid contributors like Sutton, Allen, and others help build a foundation, securing Bonitto is the move that could shape the ceiling of this team. Because when you have a game-wrecker off the edge, everything else on defense gets a little easier.
The Broncos didn’t just keep a good player-they kept a difference-maker. And in today’s NFL, that’s how you build a contender.