Nik Bonitto has Broncos Country ready to run through a brick wall with the one goal heading into the 2025 NFL season
Nik Bonitto and the Denver Broncos defense is ready to make a statement.
Nik Bonitto is in line for a massive payday. The superstar pass rusher is due for an extension, and the Denver Broncos want to do everything they can to keep a cornerstone on their defense around for years to come. Speaking to the media after practice, Bonitto made his goal for the 2025 season abundantly clear and has the fanbase more than a little excited: “We want to have the No. 1 defense.”
After missing practice from an injury suffered in the preseason win against the San Francisco 49ers, Bonitto was back at practice and brought up the current state of the contract negotiations with the front office.
“Knowing how they feel about me upstairs, I have a feeling something will get done.”
With a team-leading 13.5 sacks on a defense that had the most sacks across the NFL, he’s not just talking the talk, but he’s walking the walk. Rightfully so, Bonitto deserves to get paid.
Defense feasts on opposing quarterbacks
Six different players for the Broncos recorded a sack in the 2024 campaign. Jonathon Cooper (10.5), Zach Allen (8.5), John Franklin-Myers (7), Jonah Ellis (5), and Dondrea Tillman (5). In July, Gennaro Filice of NFL.com had the Denver defense as his No. 1 team heading into 2025. They weren’t just effective at getting to the quarterback; the unit nearly wiped out the running game for opposing offenses.
“The deep defensive line is a wall against the run, too, giving up the second-fewest yards per carry (3.9) in 2024 … This looks like the best Denver D since the “No Fly Zone” gave the franchise its third Lombardi Trophy a decade ago.”
Vance Joseph and his blitz-heavy scheme were more than a little effective, even if they did struggle at times. Despite the team falling to Buffalo in the first round of the playoffs, Joseph is looking to build on their success last season. In early August, Joseph highlighted what this defense can do to improve.
Vance Joseph’s goal for 2025
“I think the next step is avoiding the awkward big plays, the awkward series. If you’re going to be a top defense in this league, just consistency, building depth to do that, and over a long season it’s important for us. I’d say every defense’s goal is to always be consistent, and if you’re going to be dominant, that’s every down, every game, every quarter. That’s our goal.”
While the preseason is only that, preseason, it’s hard not to gush over how the defense has performed during the team’s first two preseason showings. Bonitto has a goal to be the number one defense in the NFL, and they have a real chance to do just that.
The regular season cannot come soon enough. But first, the team needs to finish their third and final preseason contest against the New Orleans Saints. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming preseason finale.
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Broncos Country has to be excited with what’s to come.
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