The Denver Broncos are following a perfect offseason script.
The team has signed difference makers in free agency with Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga and drafted potential impact rookies in Jahdae Barron and RJ Harvey. More recently, the team has focused on players already on the roster and making sure they stay in Denver.
After getting a deal done with No. 1 wide receiver Courtland Sutton, the Broncos have reached an agreement with stud defensive lineman Zach Allen. The team has given him a four-year extension worth up to $102 million. That is huge news for the team, as Allen was one of the better, more consistent defensive linemen in football last year.
Taking a look at this plan of attack, the Broncos are following it perfectly. There is one more move the team should make before the end of the 2025 season, but preferably sooner rather than later.
That would be extending the contract of edge rusher Nik Bonitto, who will be a free agent after the season. Bonitto is coming off a huge season in which he recorded 13.5 sacks. The year before that, he had eight. If he continues his upward trajectory and has a season like last year, or even surpasses 13.5 sacks, the Broncos may not be able to afford him in free agency.
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It would be better for the team to look to extend him before the season starts or early in the season if he is performing well. Productive edge rushers can be extremely expensive on the free-agent market.
John Franklin-Myers will also be looking for an extension, and it would be great if the Broncos could find a way to keep him as well, but they may not be able to comfortably afford everyone while having to consider next year's free-agent market and offseason moves. Prioritizing Bonitto is the right move and should be at the top of the team's priority list now.
If the Broncos can lock Bonitto into a long-term extension before the season starts, this offseason will have been an incredible success for this team.
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