The Denver Broncos made a huge move on Thursday when they gave a four-year contract extension to edge rusher Nik Bonitto, one that could be worth up to $120 million in total money.
This was a move that Broncos Country was hoping would eventually happen, but it wasn't expected before the season started. It keeps what some felt was the top free-agent target in 2026 off the market.
The Broncos deserve an immense amount of credit for this move. After having already agreed to contract extensions with Courtland Sutton and Zach Allen during the offseason, it seemed the team might wait a bit to see if Bonitto would be worth the big money as well. But one thing is for sure: if he had another double-digit sack season and then hit the free-agent market, he might have been out of the Broncos' price range.
The Broncos were patient with Bonitto. After his rookie season, it looked like he would be a marginal player for the team, at best. In 2023, he was used as a rotational guy and managed to get eight sacks. But early on in 2024, he wasn't even a starter for the team.
Initially behind Baron Browning on the depth chart, Bonitto worked his way into the starting lineup with a high level of play. He finished the year with 13.5 sacks and was in the running for NFL Defensive Player of the Year for part of the season. At just 25 years old, he may not have even hit his stride just yet and he absolutely deserved this extension.
The Broncos' front office has not only buried the memory of the bad Russell Wilson deal from 2022, but it has hardly made a single mistake since.
Extending Sutton, Allen and Bonitto were all the right moves to make. The Broncos have followed this plan perfectly. If they can somehow get a deal done with John Franklin-Myers to avoid him becoming a free agent would be a grand slam.
Broncos fans should be proud of how the Broncos are now being managed. The front office is not trying to pinch pennies or cut corners. Rather than looking for a way to avoid paying players and offering them up as trade bait, they are paying players the money they have earned.
READ: Broncos' rookie RB predicted to take home some hardware following 2025 season
The Broncos are building a force and they are doing it the right way. It is reminiscent of the Pat Bowlen days, and that should bring a smile to the face of all Broncos fans.
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