Nik Bonitto saw the post suggesting that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning would be relieved to face the Denver Broncos after what the Minnesota Vikings did to him in Week 3, and channeled his inner Michael Jordan, taking it personally.
Bonitto, the NFL’s third-leading sack artist in 2024, tallied another 1.5 against the Bengals, bringing his 2025 total to 4.5 – a 19-plus sack pace over 17 games.
After Monday’s victory, Bonitto took a victory lap over the thoughts on Browning.
Nik Bonitto Gets Laughs Off Jake Browning Post After Broncos Beat Bengals
GettyNik Bonitto #15 of the Denver Broncos sacks Jake Browning #6 of the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Broncos got to Browning three times total, with bookend Jonathon Cooper splitting one with Bonitto and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers. Denver tallied 6 total hits on the quarterback. Browning completed 56% of his passes with 0 touchdowns or interceptions.
Most importantly, the Broncos won and got bragging rights, with Bonitto laughing at the hot take.
“The Vikings defense is so good that Jake Browning will be relieved to face the Broncos,” “NFL Daily Podcast” host Greg Rosenthal posted on X on September 26.
“Dropping bodies ain’t nothing every new one give me a thrill,” Franklin-Myers posted on X after the game. “Broncos Win!”
Cooper introduced Bonitto as the “best pass rusher in the NFL” in the locker room, and the latter opened his availability by praising Broncos cornerback Riley Moss, and followed with kind words for Pat Surtain II, underscoring the complete defensive effort against the Bengals.
Broncos QB Bo Nix Praises Defense
GettyJohn Franklin-Myers #98 of the Denver Broncos sacks Jake Browning #6 of the Cincinnati Bengals.
While their offense racked up 512 total yards, Bonitto and the Broncos’ defense held the Bengals to 159 yards. Their efforts drew praise from quarterback Bo Nix during his postgame media availability.
“It’s impressive. Not much more to say other than they’re just suffocating. They take away what they’re good at, and then they just – the pass rush is killer. And when you get in long yardage situations, it’s tough. And they did just a good job of staying balanced, mixing up the looks, getting off the field when they needed to,” Nix told reporters on September 29.
“I’m excited, happy to be on a team with a good defense like that.”
Nix did his part, completing 29 of 42 passes for 326 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, but Bonitto, a Pro Bowler and Second Team All-Pro in 2024, and the Broncos’ defense did theirs, too.
Broncos Face Tough Test in Week 5
GettyJalen Hurts #1 and Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate after defeating the Dallas Cowboys.
Up next for Bonitto and the Broncos are the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5. It is a road date against the reigning Super Bowl champions, who have allowed 9 sacks on the season entering the contest.
Bonitto, who signed a four-year, $106 million contract extension with the Broncos this past offseason, and Cooper (four years, $54 million in September 2024) will need to be at their best.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley are dangerous despite their hiccups.
Bonitto and the Broncos’ defense will also need Nix and Co. to do their jobs against the Eagles in Week 5. Still, slowing down Hurts and Barkley is imperative if the Broncos want to stack victories and keep their momentum going.
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