The Denver Broncos have shown that they will reward their players when they produce, and fourth-year outside linebacker Nik Bonitto is the latest example. He is also the highest-paid. Moreover, the 2024 Second Team All-Pro is ready to reach the next level.
Bonitto signed a four-year extension worth up to $120 million, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, whose report the OLB shared while sharing his encouraging message.
“Let’s go win this f*ckin chip now!” Bonitto posted on September 4.
Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto Sends Fitting Message After Landing $120M Extension
GettyNik Bonitto #42 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Seattle Seahawks.
Bonitto, who turns 26 on September 26, finished third in the league with 13.5 sacks in 2024, and earned Pro Bowl honors. Bonitto entered the league as a second-round pick (No. 64 overall) in the 2022 draft by the Broncos and was on a four-year, $5.8 million rookie scale contract.
His new deal includes $70 million guaranteed. Bonitto followed his post on X with a post saying “LFG!!!!!!!!!!” on Instagram.
“Bonitto is coming off a breakout season with 13.5 sacks and two defensive touchdowns — and now gets rewarded in a major way,” Schultz posted. “Nik Bonitto has become a real star for the #Broncos, and is a true star in Denver. Young star gets rewarded.”
Reactions Pour In After Nik Bonitto’s Extension
GettyNik Bonitto #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates against the Buffalo Bills during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
Bonitto has been open about his confidence that a deal would eventually get done, especially following the surge in edge rusher contracts in recent years and even months. The Broncos capped what was viewed as a rising cost of doing business by getting a deal done now.
“Nik Bonitto signs a 4-year, $106M extension with the @Broncos making him the highest-paid defensive player in Broncos history,” Bonitto’s agency, Athlete’s First, posted on X.
“Deal negotiated by @ToryDandy of Athletes First.”
“This deal, which has a base value of 4-years and $106M, allows Bonitto security after a 13.5-sack season,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted. “He did not even begin the season as a starter. Now, gets paid.”
Bonitto’s deal makes him the seventh-highest paid edge rusher in terms of total value and ninth in guaranteed money.
“Good deal for the @Broncos, and Nik Bonitto—who lands at an average per year of $26.5 million,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer posted on X. “They got Jonathon Cooper at $13.5 million per earlier this offseason. That means they have two young edge rushers at $40 million per (Cooper thru 2028, Bonitto thru 2029).”
Of course, Bonitto’s deal with the Broncos may not be the best news for everyone.
Broncos Veteran Gets More Bad News
GettyJohn Franklin-Myers #98 of the Denver Broncos warms up before facing the Buffalo Bills with the New York Jets.
The last man standing among the Broncos’ prominent players in contract years after Bonitto’s deal is defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers. He has also been outspoken about wanting a new deal. He finished with career-highs of 7.0 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and 40 total stops.
Franklin-Myers has already seen Zach Allen land a four-year, $102 million extension this offseason. Allen was a Second Team All-Pro in 2024 like Bonitto,
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton inked a four-year, $92 million pact.
Over The Cap has the Broncos at $15.2 million in space before Bonitto’s extension is factored in, and more than $48 million in 2026. They could still make a move to extend Franklin-Myers. He is on an expiring two-year, $15 million contract, and he fittingly celebrated Bonitto’s extension.
However, speculation has long been that Franklin-Myers could be on the outside looking in. The Broncos need future financial flexibility, and Bonitto’s deal is another blow.
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