Did the Broncos get a great value on the Nik Bonitto contract extension?

In the video above, I take a look at the contract and how it compares to some other recent edge-rusher contracts, such as those of Chicago’s Montez Sweat, Jacksonville’s Josh Hines-Allen and Brian Burns of the New York Giants.

In terms of guarantee and average-per-year, the Broncos came out well … although they are rolling the dice on a bit less in terms of career production, expecting it to continue.

Bonitto’s guaranteed money of $70 million places him ninth among edge rushers in the NFL; Sweat ranks in the spot above him with a $72.9 million guarantee from the Chicago Bears, given to him midway through the 2023 season.

In average per year, Bonitto’s figure of $26.5 million is eighth-highest, just above that of Sweat ($24.5 million) and immediately below the tally for Burns, who received his contract — which has an APY of $28.2 million — in the 2024 offseason.

Burns, Sweat and Hines-Allen all had more sacks than Bonitto at the time of their deals — 46, 35.5 and 45, respectively. Bonitto has 23. But for the Broncos’ 2022 second-round pick, his figure is held down by minimal playing time as a rookie.

On a per-pass-rush basis for their careers at the time of their contracts, the value of Bonitto’s contract becomes clear:

• Bonitto: One sack every 37.8 pass-rush snaps
• Sweat: One sack every 42.1 pass-rush snaps
• Burns: One sack every 45.3 pass-rush snaps
• Hines-Allen: One sack every 46.0 pass-rush snaps

No wonder the Broncos feel they got this one right.

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