Nik Bonitto, the Denver Broncos’ second-year edge rusher, is looking ahead to what could be a breakout season for him. His re-election this year will shape his legacy. The 2022 second-round draft pick took a big step in improvement going into the 2024 season. He proved his worth as an impactful defensive cornerstone. Bonitto has incredibly already played 708 snaps this season. He’s third on the Broncos with 13.5 sacks but he could help himself by establishing more of a DAC of the field.
That was Bonitto’s rookie season in 2022, when he played a modest 357 snaps, where he sacked the quarterback 1.5 times. He did not disappoint, at times putting on dazzling displays of his talent. That all changed in 2024 when he could finally be considered one of the league’s premier edge rushers. His performance included a standout moment against the San Francisco 49ers, where he recorded a sack, a near-sack, and showcased his relentless pursuit in just 88 seconds.
The Broncos’ defense had a historic year in 2024, with their defense leading the NFL with 63 sacks. Bonitto shed essential light that propelled this achievement. In doing so, he received the first Pro Bowl selection of his career and was named a second-team All-Pro. Bonitto looks back on his path here. Lastly, he understands that coming into the 2021 season opponents will be eyeing him a lot more than they used to.
I have no problem with that conversation, Bonitto said, showing in his answer his willingness and even eagerness to meet that challenge. He knows that in his new role as the big dog on defense, opposing teams will game plan around stopping him.
While Bonitto looks towards the 2025 season, he’s already begun to make improvements to become an even better player. At training camp, he showed up at around 248 pounds, an indicator that he’s taking the right steps to ensure he’s in the best shape possible. He’s just a month out of surgery to remove a bone spur from his foot. As a result, the New York Jets corner won’t be playing against the Arizona Cardinals today.
“I want to be as fresh as possible when I’m in and as effective as I can be,” Bonitto expressed, highlighting his dedication to maximizing his impact on the field. The Broncos’ head coach, Sean Payton, has acknowledged this need for freshness and plans to manage Bonitto’s snap count throughout the season to ensure he remains effective late in games.
“It’s about winning, it’s about our defense making havoc,” Bonitto added, emphasizing the team’s collective goal. He understands that the definition of winning is not defined as personal achievement but defined as adding to the overall team goal.
Bonitto’s confidence doesn’t just stop at his own performance. He’s confident in the strength of his teammates as well. “I feel like we have such a good room with so many guys, we can swarm,” he remarked, underscoring the collaborative spirit within the Broncos’ defensive unit. His belief in teamwork and shared success clearly echoed throughout the locker room.
With an eye towards unrestricted free agency after the 2025 season, Bonitto is still doing everything possible to keep progressing. His determination has not gone unnoticed by rival coaches. San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recently praised Bonitto’s skills, saying, “He did ruin that whole series … Bonitto is a hell of a player.”
As he gets ready for the approaching season, Bonitto has been especially focused on honing his craft. “I tried it in the spring when we worked because I wanted to see how it felt,” he explained. His commitment to the craft, tuning his body and mind, has helped him stay agile, elusive and fast in the pocket during training camp.
Coach Payton takes these game-day depth with Bonitto, thoughtfully. He definitely takes pride in finding ways to maximize player performance in each and every unique matchup. “I think it’s just being mindful of going into a game with your depth and how you want that to unfold,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of planning and execution.
Leave a Reply