Nik Bonitto, Broncos Agree to $106M Contract, Largest for Non-QB in Team History

The Denver Broncos and pass-rusher Nik Bonitto agreed to a historic, four-year contract extension Thursday.

Bonitto's agency, Athletes First, announced that the deal is worth $106 million, making Bonitto the highest-paid defensive player in Broncos history.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the contract could ultimately pay Bonitto as much as $120 million, and it includes $70 million in guaranteed money. Schefter added that Bonitto is not only the highest-paid defensive player in franchise history, but the highest-paid non-quarterback.

Originally a second-round pick out of Oklahoma in the 2022 NFL draft, Bonitto has been a highly productive player through three NFL seasons.

After recording just 1.5 sacks as a rookie, Bonitto became far more effective in 2023, primarily as a pass-rushing specialist off the edge.

Although he started only four of the 15 games he appeared in that season, Bonitto broke out with 8.5 sacks, plus 30 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits and one forced fumble.

Last season, Bonitto became more of a full-time player and less of a rotational piece, playing 61.3 percent of Denver's defensive stats.

Bonitto appeared in all 17 games, starting 15 of them, and set new career highs across the board with 13.5 sacks, 48 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 24 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and four passes defended.

As a result, Bonitto was named a Pro Bowler for the first time, plus he was a Second Team All-Pro and finished ninth in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Bonitto's teammate, cornerback Pat Surtain II, won the NFL DPOY Award last season after signing a four-year, $96 million extension that made him the NFL's highest-paid defensive back in terms of average annual value.

Defense was a huge part of Denver's success last season, as the team ranked seventh in total defense, third in scoring defense and first in sacks with 63.

Four players had at least seven sacks for the Broncos last season, but Bonitto's 13.5 led them all.

Although Denver fell 31-7 to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs, it marked the Broncos' first playoff appearance since 2015.

With a stout defense and the continued progression of quarterback Bo Nix, the Broncos are widely expected to be in the thick of playoff contention in the AFC once again in 2025.