The Broncos signed LB Nik Bonitto to a huge extension in July 2025. What does this mean for the team's cap and other stars like Allen waiting for a deal?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just before the Fourth of July fireworks, the Denver Broncos lit up the news wire with some of their own, locking down star linebacker Nik Bonitto with a massive contract extension. The deal, finalized Thursday, secures a cornerstone of the defense after his 2024 breakout season. However, it also raises the stakes and kicks off a high-stakes game of financial chess for the front office, with several other key players waiting for their payday as training camp looms.
The deal, worth a staggering $23.5 million per year, makes Bonitto one of the league's highest-paid linebackers and sets a new benchmark in Denver.
Nik Bonitto earned his payday. After a stellar 2024 campaign where he established himself as one of the premier pass-rushers in the AFC, the Broncos made it a priority to keep him in orange and blue for the long haul. The $23.5 million annual salary is a significant investment, signaling the team's commitment to building around a dominant, homegrown defensive core. This move solidifies the linebacker room and ensures that one of the team's most disruptive players won't be a distraction heading into the season.
With Bonitto's contract on the books, attention immediately shifts to the other elephants in the room. All-Pro defensive end Allen is reportedly seeking a deal north of $25 million per year, a figure that looms large over the team's salary cap. Alongside him, key contributors like John Franklin-Myers, Malcolm Roach, and linebacker Alex Singleton are all in contract years. The front office now faces a delicate balancing act: rewarding their top talent without mortgaging the future. Bonitto's deal sets the market, and you can be sure other agents have taken notice.
The front office doesn't have all summer to figure this out. The team officially announced that rookies will report for training camp on July 16, with the veterans arriving on July 22. That's less than three weeks away. Getting these extensions done before the team hits the practice field is crucial for minimizing distractions and ensuring the entire locker room is focused on building upon last year's playoff run. The clock is officially ticking.
With Bonitto's signature secured, the Broncos have checked off a major item on their offseason to-do list. But the real work is just beginning. The next few weeks leading up to camp will be a crucial test for the front office, as their ability to manage the salary cap and lock in their core talent will define the team's championship window for years to come. All eyes are on the front office as the July 22 veteran report date inches closer.
