For Nik Bonitto, speed really does kill. The Denver Broncos’ outside linebacker has turned his explosive athleticism into a game-changing weapon, and it was on full display in last Sunday's matchup against the Chiefs. Facing off against one of the NFL’s most elusive quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes, Bonitto wasted no time showcasing his signature skill: an incredible burst off the line that leaves offensive linemen—and quarterbacks—scrambling.
In the third quarter, with Denver determined to keep Mahomes off-balance, Bonitto shot off the line like a rocket the moment the ball was snapped. Kansas City tight end Peyton Hendershot tried to chip Bonitto to disrupt his path, but it was no use. Rookie left tackle Kingsley Suamataia didn’t even have a chance to lay a hand on him. With breathtaking speed, Bonitto closed in on Mahomes, bringing him down for a 9-yard loss—an impressive feat against a player known for being frustratingly difficult to sack.
This play wasn’t just a lucky shot; it’s the latest in a string of impactful moments that have defined Bonitto’s third NFL season. Through ten weeks, he's already causing a stir in the league, forcing opponents to double-team him, only to still see him blaze his way to the quarterback. In a league where defensive disruptors are invaluable, Bonitto’s name is being whispered as a potential future Pro Bowler.
"He’s certainly made the leap," praised Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Payton has been impressed with Bonitto's development, highlighting how Bonitto’s knowledge of the game and refined technique have added depth to his skill set. "He’s got a lot in the tank in terms of his pass rush and knowing how to set somebody up. He’s really helped us,” Payton added. For a team that’s been searching for a dominant pass rusher since trading away Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, Bonitto’s growth couldn’t have come at a better time.
Bonitto has become a force on the field. Since being drafted in the second round in 2022, his production has steadily increased each year. As a rookie, he posted 1.5 sacks in 15 games. By his second year, he logged eight sacks and 50 pressures, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats. Now, in his third season, Bonitto is on track to eclipse those numbers, with 32 pressures and seven sacks so far—tying him for seventh in the league with star defenders like Baltimore’s Kyle Van Noy, Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, and Minnesota’s Jonathan Greenard.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Bonitto’s game is his lightning-fast get-off speed. According to Next Gen Stats, his get-off—the time it takes for him to cross the line of scrimmage after the snap—is an astonishing 0.76 seconds. Combine that with 11 pressures in under three seconds, and you have a pass rusher who’s a nightmare for any offensive lineman. In fact, Bonitto has proven particularly dangerous in the third quarter, notching three sacks and 11 pressures—numbers that have him tied for second in third-quarter production league-wide.
His relentless work ethic and knack for being a consistent threat make Bonitto a special kind of player, one who has evolved into a more versatile pass rusher than he was in his college days at Oklahoma. Back then, he caught the attention of Jamar Cain, who was then an outside linebacker coach for the Sooners and is now the Broncos’ defensive line coach. Cain was instrumental in helping Bonitto harness his athletic abilities, teaching him how to time his rush and avoid relying on a single move. "It’s just him understanding the snap counts, seeing the ball and not hearing the quarterback’s cadence,” Cain said. "He’s developing different moves and not just being a one-trick pony."
Adding to his impressive resume, Bonitto has become adept at drawing penalties. According to Sports Info Solutions, he’s been responsible for four holding penalties, tied for the most in the league. This ability to keep offensive linemen on edge, knowing they’re likely to get flagged if they try to stop him, has made Bonitto even more dangerous.
The signs that Bonitto was destined for this kind of impact were evident last season. He recorded two sacks in back-to-back games against the Bears and Jets, flashing the potential that has now blossomed into consistent production. This season, he’s had a sack in seven of the last eight games—a streak that reflects not only his individual drive but also the friendly rivalry he shares with teammate Jonathon Cooper. Both players are pushing each other to see who finishes the season with the most sacks, with Bonitto currently holding a narrow half-sack lead.
Even when Bonitto doesn’t record a sack, he’s a constant presence that quarterbacks must keep an eye on. Against the Chiefs, his stat line may have shown just one sack on 25 pass rushes, but that doesn’t tell the full story of how close he was to adding even more. With 12:08 left in the second quarter, Bonitto nearly had Mahomes wrapped up, only for the two-time MVP to throw the ball away at the last second. Later in the quarter, a sack was negated by an illegal contact penalty on safety Brandon Jones. And in the third quarter, after breaking free from Suamataia, Bonitto barely missed wrapping up Mahomes, resulting in a 35-yard completion to running back Samaje Perine.
Bonitto’s tenacity is unmatched. He finished the game with six pressures and an impressive pressure rate of 24%, marking his fourth straight game with a pressure rate over 20%. These kinds of numbers are putting him among the NFL’s best in terms of pressure rate, underscoring his impact on Denver's defense. Inside linebacker Justin Strnad has taken note of Bonitto's knack for making big plays, saying, "He continues to make plays for us."
What makes Bonitto’s game even more thrilling is his ability to bend and torque his body to slip through even the smallest of gaps—a skill that has only gotten sharper with time. As Payton put it, “He’s a guy that plays with real good bend. He can bend and torque his body.” This flexibility and power make Bonitto hard to predict and even harder to block.
The Broncos’ decision to draft Bonitto is paying off in a big way. For a defense looking to reclaim its identity as one of the league’s most feared units, Bonitto has been a breath of fresh air. His production, agility, and passion for the game are driving forces that could very well lead him to the Pro Bowl and perhaps even make him a household name among NFL fans. And as Bonitto keeps rising, so too do the Broncos' hopes of rekindling the dominant pass-rushing legacy left behind by players like Von Miller.
In every game, every quarter, and every snap, Nik Bonitto is proving that sometimes, speed really does kill. His journey from a promising rookie to a rising defensive star is unfolding before our eyes, with each play adding another chapter to what’s shaping up to be an incredible NFL story.
Login