The Denver Broncos should sign Nik Bonitto to long-term deal, and they want to according to George Paton.

Bonitto just finished his third season in the NFL, a breakout year in which he resembled former Broncos superstar Von Miller.

In fact, because of that incredible fumble-6 against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13, Bonitto’s jersey and gloves are in the Professional Football Hall of Fame.

Denver Broncos should sign Nik Bonitto to long-term deal, and they want to

Bonitto proved in 2024 he’s a complete and total game-wrecker.

Bonitto put his gorgeous speed on display many times this year using his wide 9 technique, lining up way outside of tackles trying to block him.

That’s not the only way he racked up a team-leading 13.5 sacks this year, but it was the main way. Bonitto not only led the Broncos–who had a franchise-record 63 sacks this season–he also came in third in total sacks among all NFL players.

Bonitto became the third star player on Denver’s defense last year which featured First-Team All-Pro Pat Surtain and Second-Team All-Pro Zach Allen. In fact, Bonitto was also named Second-Team All-Pro at the end of the season.

His sacks were superb. But what set him apart were the two touchdowns he scored.

The first was a 71-yard pick-6 against Jameis Winston and the Cleveland Browns.

That play pushed the Broncos lead to 11 points in a shootout that they needed every point to win.

In their next game two weeks later, Bonitto made another phenomenal play by intercepting a pass which was deemed a fumble-6 because the ball was going backwards when he caught it.

He became the only player to score two 50-plus yard defensive touchdowns in 2024 and introduced the world to his play.

After the season, GM George Paton said the Denver Broncos want to sign Nik Bonitto to a long-term deal.

“We haven’t even had those conversations yet,” Paton said. “I mean, Nik has had a great year, obviously, we’d love to have Nik here long term.”

2025 is Bonitto’s fourth year, meaning he will become a free agent at the end of it. Here’s hoping the Broncos lock him up with a big-time deal during the season so they don’t have to battle against other teams for his services this time next year.

Last year, the Broncos re-signed pass rusher Jonathan Cooper to a four-year, $54 million deal and it seems like Bonitto could be in line to make even more.

Denver has $38.9 million in salary cap sapce going into 2025 and that could expand depending on what they do with free agents.

Broncos rising star has jersey in Hall of Fame

Bonitto’s jersey and gloves from that Colts game were placed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, just like many Broncos players before him.

Nik Bonitto's jersey and gloves in the Hall of Fame.

Nik Bonitto’s jersey and gloves in the Hall of Fame. Credit: Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Mike Anderson’s cleats and jersey were placed in the hallowed halls in Canton, OH back in 2000. The former Broncos running back set the rookie rushing record with 251 yards in a game against the Saints 25 years ago. Similarly, Shannon Sharpe’s cleats were placed in the Hall of Fame after he set the mark for touchdown receptions by a tight end in 2003. In 2011, Sharpe received a bronze bust as a Hall of Famer.

It’s an honor for Bonitto’s game-worn jersey and gloves to be in the Hall of Fame, commemorating the incredible play he made that game. He also recorded half a sack and five combined tackles in the comeback win that was key in getting the Broncos into the playoffs.

Bonitto and the Broncos defense built something special in 2024 as a top-5 unit in scoring, sacks, red zone efficiency, and more.

Now, Bonitto is likely to be a second cornerstone of the defense alongside Surtain for a long time.