There isn’t an NFL offense in 2025 that wants to see the Denver Broncos coming up on the schedule. Not after a season in which Denver’s defense came out of nowhere to lead the NFL with 63 sacks and lead the franchise back into the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder singled out Denver edge rushers Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper as the NFL’s “Best Pass Rush Duo” headed into the season after the 2 terrorized offensive lines last year.
“Granted, this duo has the least amount of combined sacks within the top five, yet it is listed as the No. 1 pair,” Holder wrote on June 30. “That’s because they also have the least amount of experience (seven seasons) and the most room for growth, as their potential moving forward is through the roof. So, there is some projection here, but betting a couple of young pass-rushers who have improved their production every year to date feels like a good gamble, as Denver is looking at having one of the league’s best pass rushes again this fall.”
Bonitto Headed Toward Massive Payday
Bonitto earned NFL All-Pro honors for the first time and was an NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist in 2024. Denver cornerback Patrick Surtain II was the franchise’s first NFL Defensive POY winner since linebacker Randy Gradishar.
Like Surtain, who signed a 4-year, $96.1 million contract extension in 2024, Bonitto is headed toward his own massive payday as he’s in final season of the 4-year, $5.8 million contract he signed after the Broncos drafted him in the second round (No. 64 overall) out of Oklahoma in the 2022 NFL draft.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay singled Bonitto out as one of 5 players who could win their first NFL sacks title in 2025 after he finished third in the NFL with 13.5 sacks in 2024.
“Coming off a season in which he outperformed every defender but Trey Hendrickson and Myles Garrett in the sack column, Bonitto finds himself on the cusp of stardom,” Kay wrote on June 17. “Bonitto’s ascendance was instrumental in Denver ranking No. 3 in the league in scoring defense last year. His disruption in the backfield helped guide the up-and-coming program to a surprise playoff berth out of the loaded AFC West.”
Cooper Already Landed Massive Payday
While Bonitto waits to get his money, Cooper has already hit the mother lode in terms of NFL riches after he signed a 4-year, $60 million contract extension with the Broncos in November 2024.
It represent a pretty deft move on the part of the Broncos. Cooper ended up with a career high 10.5 sacks in 2024 and with another season like that he could have commanded up to $80 million in free agency.
Cooper’s deal included $33 million in guaranteed money.
“Per source: the Broncos signed emerging pass rusher Jonathon Cooper to a four-year contract extension over the weekend,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on November 4. “Cooper has 5.5 sacks in nine games for the Broncos. Denver locks up Cooper while securing a sixth-round pick from Arizona for free agent-to-be Baron Browning.”
