The Denver Broncos have had a very up-and-down start to the season. From losing on back-to-back second field goals to beating the undefeated Eagles, their 2025 season has certainly been a roller coaster.
However, amidst the chaos, one consistent force has remained. A force so dominant and relentless that he has emerged as one of the best defensive players in the entire league. His name is Nik Bonitto.
Bonitto Begins
Bonitto’s path to playing time in Denver didn’t come right away. When Denver selected him in 2022, the Broncos were stocked with veteran edge rushers. As a result, he didn’t see the field often.
Then, in 2023, despite starting only four games, he recorded eight sacks—a sign of what was to come. However, Denver’s woes were too distracting for the public to notice.
That all changed in 2024. Bonitto burst onto the scene with a whopping 13.5 sacks. In doing so, he anchored Denver’s defense to a top-three finish in points and touchdowns allowed. With the Broncos making the playoffs and Bonitto finishing in the top three in sacks, he could no longer fly under the radar. And with all eyes on him now, he has only gotten better.
Bonitto is Balling
Through the first five games, Bonitto has been otherworldly. He is leading the league with seven sacks, two more than second place. He’s currently on pace for nearly 24 sacks, which would break Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt‘s tied record of 22.5. He is also second in the league in tackles for loss with seven, sitting behind only Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett, who both have eight.
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Bonitto’s dominance extends beyond the generic stats like sacks and TFLs, though. For instance, he ranks fifth in pass rush win rate through five weeks (26%), per ESPN. He is also tied for first in pressures (15)
also ranks first in pressures with 27 and third in fastest pass-rush get-off time with 0.72 seconds. And for the cherry on top, Bonitto’s rare ability to completely take over a game makes him a clear candidate. Just ask Jalen Hurts, who he sacked 2.5 times last Sunday.
With as good as Bonitto has been so far, it begs the following questions: Can he win Defensive Player of the Year? And if not him, then who?
The Brawl Against Bonitto
At the start of the season, it seemed that there were five unanimous favorites for DPOY: T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, Aidan Hutchinson, Micah Parsons, and Maxx Crosby. Since they all play the same position as Bonitto, they should be easy to compare and contrast.
The first step towards finding the truly worthy recipient is eliminating the ones who are not. With that said, Crosby will be the first elimination. Simply put, barring a miracle, his pace of two sacks through five games will not be enough.
Next gone is Parsons, who with just one TFL through four games will need much more production and soon.
Garrett is also likely out of the conversation. Despite his production, the Browns’ inevitably lackluster record will make it very challenging for him to compete. Especially since his fellow competitors are on solid teams like the Broncos, Steelers, and Lions.
Therefore, Watt and Hutchinson remain in the quest to dethrone Bonitto, but not for long. Bonitto has a clear edge in sacks and TFLs over both, which are the most important metrics for edge rushers. Additionally, his team’s defense ranks higher in yards allowed, touchdowns allowed, and total sacks by a rather larger margin.
Watt and Hutchinson have the edge in forced fumbles. However, Bonitto’s aforementioned individual and team stats, combined with his ability to single-handedly change the game, make him the clear choice.
However, there is one important player that has not yet been brought up. And that player is Patrick Surtain, the reigning DPOY and teammate of Bonitto.
Bonitto Battles His Buddy
Patrick Surtain has been absolutely critical player for Denver ever since he was drafted in 2021.
Last season, he finished with the least amount of passing yards allowed and recorded the lowest QB passer rating amongst cornerbacks. Additionally, his four interceptions, 11 passes defended, and a touchdown were more than enough to seal the deal. Nobody deserved that award more than him, but he won’t do it again.
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Aside from Stephon Gilmore in 2018, Surtain was the first non-pass-rusher to win the award since Luke Kuechly in 2013. Additionally, not including Gilmore, he was the first player in the secondary to win it since Troy Polamalu in 2010.
Lastly, only one player has ever won the award in back-to-back years, as Aaron Donald did it in 2017 and 2018. Therefore, it is clear that Surtain’s position and previous success make his chances slim.
Though it is still very early in the season, it seems as though Surtain will not live up to his expectations set from last year. He has yet to record an interception this season, and he has already allowed over half the receiving yards that he did last season in only five games.
Additionally, his passer rating allowed ranking has taken a huge hit, as he’s gone from first to outside the top 25. Though he is still an elite NFL cornerback, a repeat DPOY victory for Surtain seems rather unlikely.
Bonitto Brings it Home
Though the season is still young, and though there is plenty of tough competition, a win for Nik Bonitto seems very attainable. Despite being virtually unknown by most NFL fans up until about halfway through last season, Bonitto has been on an absolute tear.
As long as the Broncos keep winning, and as long as he can keep it up, there could be another Defensive Player of the Year award coming to Denver in February.
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