The Denver Broncos did some work to keep the core of their team intact in 2025 and beyond, coming to an agreement on new deals with both Courtland Sutton and Zach Allen.
The team still has some key players set to become free agents after the season and that list is headlined by former second-round pick Nik Bonitto. Coming off a huge 2024 season, Bonitto has a chance to position himself for a massive payday after this season. Will that payday be too rich for the Broncos?
It's certainly going to be expensive and with the attention Bonitto is starting to generate, that price will only increase with another big year. That starts with Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, who created a list of the top free agents on next year's market. At the very top of that list is Bonitto. That list includes names like Trey Hendrickson, George Pickens and Mike Evans.
"Having just earned his first Pro Bowl selection with 13.5 sacks, Bonitto is not a one-year wonder but a player who steadily built his game to become an unpredictable, every-down difference maker. Solidifying those gains in 2025 will net him a quarterback-like contract", wrote Rosenthal.
Effective edge rushers are among the most important players in the NFL. Bonitto, who turns just 26 years old in September, could still have several big years ahead of him.
Spotrac currently projects Bonitto signing a contract worth about $20.7 million annually. But that number is sure to go up. But what if it gets this bad?
If Micah Parsons is making $47M per season, how much will Nik Bonitto get annually? | @EricGoodman | @MyckMiller
— Mile High Sports (@MileHighSports) August 29, 2025
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$37 million a year for Bonitto? It would be hard for the team to justify that. At the same time, that could be the going rate for a young, consistent pass-rusher in today's NFL.
READ: Broncos QB makes surprising decision to stay with team
Should the Broncos try to get an extension done with Bonitto before the season kicks off or shortly into it? If they want him back in 2026, that might be the best route to take.
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