The Broncos should sign Nik Bonitto, but how much will it cost?
It’s been the offseason of the pass rushers in the NFL, with the market for stars continuing to rise. Just last week, Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt signed a deal to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, while Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis became the latest to earn a significant rookie extension.
Who could be next? Well, Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and seems primed for an extension before the start of the season.
Bonitto had a breakout campaign in 2024, accumulating 13.5 sacks en route to his first Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro appearance. That came after a strong sophomore campaign where the Broncos youngster had eight sacks as a situational pass-rusher.
Speaking to the media as training camp began, Bonitto acknowledged that contract talks are ongoing, but he’s allowing his agent to handle those matters as he focuses on the field.
“Those type of talks are happening right now,” Bonitto said. “But, I kind of just keep that with my agent, just let him handle that. My focus is just winning and trying to get a championship.”
What could a potential contract look like for the Broncos pass-rusher?
Baseline numbers for a Nik Bonitto contract with the Broncos
Immediately, George Karlaftis’s recent deal comes to mind as a potential baseline to keep in mind. Karlaftis earned a four-year deal worth $22 million annually with $61.8 million in total guarantees.
Now, Karlaftis is a more well-rounded player, defending the run at a good level while playing more snaps. But, Bonitto is the better pass-rusher and has the accolades with the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro to his name.
Another potential comp could be Rashan Gary’s four-year deal with the Green Bay Packers. Gary had a four-year, $96 million deal, but the guarantee structure provided flexibility for the team.
Bonitto is more accomplished than Gary and wasn’t coming off a major injury at the time of his contract talks.
A lower-end baseline could be Josh Sweat’s four-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals from free agency. The talented pass-rusher signed a four-year, $76.4 million deal with $38 million guaranteed.
Working alongside a talented defensive front, Sweat has accumulated 33 sacks over the past four years, although he was 27 at the time of his deal and hasn’t had a season like Bonitto’s 2024 campaign.
Projecting Nik Bonitto’s new Broncos contract
Bonitto is in line for a big raise, and it seems that could come this offseason after his comments at training camp.
After Karlaftis earned $22 million per year on his rookie extension, Bonitto could look to eclipse that range, although the Chiefs pass rusher did have two years left on his rookie deal with the fifth-year option as well.
Guarantees will also be key here, although I don’t know if Bonitto will reach the $61.8 million that Karlaftis got on his deal.
A four-year deal makes sense, as Bonitto is entering his age-26 season and would be in Denver through his age-30 campaign. That keeps him with the Broncos for the majority of his prime, while allowing him to cash in on another long-term deal if he continues his current trajectory.
So, looking at numbers, let’s put it all together with our projection.
Projection: 4 years, $90 million, $56 million in total guarantees