Denver Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto enjoyed a breakout 2024 campaign, netting 13.5 sacks and generating a highlight reel pick-six in prime time.
The 25-year-old pass rusher told Jim Rome on Wednesday that the experience has only driven him more heading into 2025.
"Honestly, I feel like it's made me hungrier," he said. "Now that I've kind of got a taste, having a really good season and everything that comes with that, I feel like I've attacked this offseason the hungriest I have. I'm really looking forward to getting back out there and seeing how much I've grown with all the training and stuff."
Bonitto burst into the limelight last season as a mainstay in Vance Joseph's defense after playing a rotational role most of his first two campaigns. He proved to be an athletic wrecking ball off the edge last season, netting 54 pressures -- second behind Zach Allen among Denver defenders -- to go along with his double-digit sack season.
Entering Year 4, Bonitto is an extension candidate coming off his breakout campaign.
"I feel like it was a bunch of things, whether it was my preparation -- each year I'm taking things and I'm learning more things, whether it's from veterans and guys around me and continuing to add more, whether it's film session, weight room, practice habits, things like that," he said of his breakout. "And just as far as on the field, not to say it's easy, but when you're with a bunch of selfless guys like the guys I'm rushing with, everybody eats. It's just a matter of dialing into the game plan and rushing together. I feel like, not only for myself, but you know that's why everybody had a really good year in the D-tackle room and the edge room."
Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper (10.5 sacks) form a stellar edge pairing in Denver. Last year, they became the first Broncos players to net double-digit sacks since Von Miller and Bradley Chubb did so in 2018.
"Me and Coop have always kinda pushed each other," Bonitto said. "We've always kinda reminded ourselves of the goals we came in with in the league. We're always a competitive group with me and him and just pushing each other every day since I came in as a rookie. Kinda instilling that type of competition with the younger guys in the room, as well. It's always a healthy competition and a brotherhood between me and him, and I'm glad with how it's going, we're spreading it onto the younger guys and making it such a competitive room where everybody wants to be great."
Cooper inked his contract extension in November 2024. Bonitto's could come down the line this year. Allen, entering the final year of his contract, is also a candidate for a new deal.
The Broncos defense is set up to be a menace in 2025, with Bonitto, Cooper and Allen up front, free-agent additions Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga at the second level, and a back end highlighted by Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II and rookie Jahdae Barron. If everyone stays healthy, the group could spearhead the Broncos beyond the first round of the playoffs.
