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Broncos, Nik Bonitto Agree To Extension

September 4th, 2025 at 9:26pm CST by Adam La Rose

Work on a Nik Bonitto extension has taken place throughout the offseason. A deal has now been struck between the Broncos and the ascending pass rusher.

Bonitto agreed to a four-year extension Thursday, as first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The pact has a maximum value of $120MM and contains $70MM guaranteed. Bonitto’s extension is now official, meaning he is on the books through 2029. An announcement from his agency notes this pact has a base value of $106MM (h/t Tom Pelissero of NFL Network).

As a result, this latest high-profile piece of Broncos business carries an average annual value of $26.5MM. That figure ranks 10th amongst edge rushers, an indication of the major surge that position’s market has witnessed over course of the offseason. If Bonitto maxes out the value of this pact, he will become the seventh pass rusher to reach $30MM in annual compensation.

In May, it became known talks on a long-term pact were taking place in this case. Since then, Bonitto has increasingly emerged as a priority for Denver, a team which also worked out new deals for receiver Courtland Sutton and defensive lineman Zach Allen in 2025. The latter’s pact is worth $102MM in base value. As such, Bonitto now holds the title as the Broncos’ highest-paid player for the coming season and the top earner for defenders in franchise history.

Starting only five games during his first two Denver seasons, Bonitto showed plenty of potential with eight sacks in 2023. The 25-year-old took another step forward last season, handling a first-team workload and totaling 13.5 sacks. That production resulted in a second-team All-Pro nod along with a Pro Bowl invitation and upped the value of this long-discussed extension. Denver dealt away Baron Browning at the 2024 trade deadline shortly after working out a new deal with Jonathon Cooper. Those transactions confirmed a Cooper-Bonitto pairing was seen as the foundation of the team’s pass rush for years to come.

Bonitto recently expressed optimism about an extension being worked out, with the qualifier that an agreement did not necessarily need to be in place before the start of the regular season. Nevertheless, the Broncos have operated on a similar timeline to the Patrick Surtain negotiations from last summer and finalized a pact days before Week 1. Another member of the team’s core is thus in the fold for the foreseeable future.

The Broncos’ standout 2024 defense contained a league-high six players with at least five sacks. Bonitto led the way in that regard, finishing third in the NFL. Expectations for continued high-end production will be present throughout the length of this pact, especially given his age. The Oklahoma product has amassed 60 quarterback pressures over the past two years, and remaining one of the league’s most disruptive edge rushers would allow for Denver’s defense to continue operating at a high level.

Broncos GM George Paton has been busy retaining a number of core players dating back to the midway mark of last season. The nucleus of a team which reached the postseason in 2024 is even further cemented given today’s news, and Bonitto will look to help lead his team a step further over the coming months with his long-term future secured.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/2/25

September 2nd, 2025 at 7:17pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Denver Broncos

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

The 12-year veteran wide receiver, Woods, had been signed to the Steelers’ practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster. Per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Woods requested to be released from his practice squad contract but told Pittsburgh that he would be open to returning if a spot on the active roster opened up for him. The team granted his request.

The Cardinals are able to add two players while only releasing one because Daxon is part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, having been born in the Bahamas. Teams can have one more than the 16-player limit for their practice squad, as long as the 17th players is in the IPPP.

Per Brady Henderson of ESPN, it’s believed that the Seahawks have made this transaction as a courtesy to Campbell, Gaines, and Laumea, who’ve all spent most of the offseason in Seattle with the team. This week on the practice squad will potentially get each player a minimum check for $13K, but the Seahawks are expected to bring Martinez and Jean-Charles back to the p-squad. The same has yet to be confirmed for Kight.

Broncos Notes: Nix, Contracts, Ehlinger, LBs

August 31st, 2025 at 4:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

While the Broncos have a rookie-QB salary headlining their roster, they are still not out of the woods on the Russell Wilson contract. The 2022 trade/extension mistake — which the NFLPA grievance shed more light on — still has Bo Nix‘s predecessor on the Broncos’ cap sheet for $32MM. This has influenced how the Broncos have structured contracts and approached acquisitions.

As ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold notes, the Saints had 11 Sean Payton-era draft classes in which they chose fewer than seven rookies. The Broncos grabbed seven in 2024 and ’25. This was by design, as Legwold indicates the Wilson release influenced the Broncos to pivot from the veteran-heavy roster constructions Payton preferred in New Orleans. Denver did enjoy a more notable free agency period this year than last, signing the likes of Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga and Evan Engram. But the team also minimized its usage of void years. While Denver added a void year to Patrick Surtain‘s extension to help with 2025 cap space, the cap-manipulating tactic did not surface in Zach Allen‘s four-year, $104MM deal.

Void years savants, the Saints continue to navigate historic cap issues each offseason. The Broncos began their Payton years by using this route regularly — via the Mike McGlinchey, Ben Powers and Garett Bolles deals. Even Courtland Sutton‘s extension includes two dummy years, but a source told Legwold Broncos ownership seems to have an influence in this matter. Payton’s Saints past injects some “prove it” vibes to any notions of a stripes change regarding cost conservation, but many in the league noticed some changes this offseason.

It will be interesting to see if more comes from CEO Greg Penner regarding contract structure in the near future. Here is the latest out of Denver:

  • The Nix pick drew reach labels last year, but Payton helped coax a strong rookie season from the No. 12 overall selection. When the Broncos assembled their 2024 QB big board, they ranked Nix behind only Jayden Daniels, per Legwold. Payton’s Nix infatuation has been well chronicled, and it is certainly interesting the Broncos appear to have ranked the polarizing Oregon prospect above no-doubt No. 1 Caleb Williams. We are still far too early in this quarterback class’ run to establish a clear hierarchy. This year, when seven 2024 QB draftees (counting the Saints’ Spencer Rattler) will start in Week 1, will provide more evidence on each second-year QB talent.
  • Behind Nix and Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger resides on Denver’s practice squad. Ehlinger is believed to have received two active-roster invites following his Broncos release, veteran insider Jordan Schultz notes. They were each viewed as contending teams, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. Considering the gulf between veteran-minimum money and practice squad payouts, Ehlinger’s decision is interesting. The Broncos can up his rate via gameday elevations or a potential signing off the practice squad in-season.
  • Denver will count on two starters recovering from at linebacker, in Greenlaw and Alex Singleton. Greenlaw, who suffered an Achilles tear in Super Bowl LVIII and missed most of last season, also was down due to multiple injuries this offseason. Payton pointed to (via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel) pitch counts for the two LBs early in the season. The Broncos re-signed Justin Strnad, Singleton’s primary sub after the starter’s Week 3 ACL tear, and kept rookie UDFA Karene Reid as backups. Those two may see more time earlier, as Greenlaw and Singleton round into form.
  • Tight end Nate Adkins remains on the Broncos’ 53-man roster, rather than being stashed as an IR-return player, after undergoing tightrope surgery to address a high ankle sprain. Adam Prentice is the current Denver fullback, but when Atkins returns, Tomasson adds the team is considering sliding him to a fullback role. Adkins is one of four Broncos TEs, joining Engram, Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull.
  • Four RBs (J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie) are on the active roster, and Tomasson indicates the team could circle back to Blake Watson. The Broncos reached an injury settlement with the second-year UDFA after he suffered a preseason PCL strain. They want him back on the P-squad, per Tomasson, who notes it is a three-week injury settlement. No deal can commence until that time passes.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/28/25

August 28th, 2025 at 9:12pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Teams around the NFL continued to adjust their practice squads as new players came free from Wednesday’s transactions. Here are all the latest updates:

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Falcons

Buffalo Bills

  • Signed: CB Jalen Kimber, DE Andre Jones Jr.
  • Released: CB Daequan Hardy

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos:

  • Signed: TE Patrick Murtaugh (international exemptin)

Detroit Lions: 

Green Bay Packers:

Houston Texans: 

  • Signed: OT Reid Holskey, WR Josh Kelly

Indianapolis Colts: 

Jacksonville Jaguars: 

Kansas City Chiefs:

Los Angeles Chargers:

Miami Dolphins:

  • Signed: RB JaMycal Hasty

Minnesota Vikings:

New England Patriots: 

New York Giants: 

  • Signed: TE Qadir Ismail

New York Jets: 

  • Signed: OL Marquis Hayes, DB Korie Black

Philadelphia Eagles:

  • Signed: WR Britain Covey, OT Luke Felix Fualalo (international exemption)

San Francisco 49ers: 

Seattle Seahawks: 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 

Tennessee Titans: 

Washington Commanders: 

Signed: RB Donovan Edwards, CB Darius Rush

Ismail was one of 17 players to work out for the Giants on Thursday, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan. He won the practice squad spot over more notable players like former Broncos safety Caden Sterns and former Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Canadian quarterback Taylor Elgersma also attended the workout, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, suggesting that the Giants might be looking for extra depth at the position.

Wallace worked out for the Vikings on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. It must have gone well, as he was signed to the practice squad hours later as extra depth both in the secondary and on special teams.

Griffin returned to the Seahawks this offseason, eight years after they made him a third-round pick in the 2017 draft. He did not make Seattle’s 53-man roster, but as a vested veteran, he was able to re-sign to the practice squad without going through waivers.

Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC West

August 27th, 2025 at 4:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders moves are noted below.

Denver Broncos

Signed to practice squad:

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed to practice squad:

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed:

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed:

Placed on IR:

Signed to practice squad:

2025 NFL Waiver Order

August 27th, 2025 at 9:57am CST by Nikhil Mehta

Many of the players cut Tuesday were subject to waivers, giving teams a chance to pick them up (along with the rest of their contract). Teams can claim as many players as they want before the next team gets their remaining targets.

It’s also worth noting that relatively few players are claimed off waivers during final roster cuts each year. Waiver claims will be processed at 11am CT in the following order (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). In reverse order of the 2024 NFL standings, here is how the waiver priority sits:

  1. Titans
  2. Browns
  3. Giants
  4. Patriots
  5. Jaguars
  6. Raiders
  7. Jets
  8. Panthers
  9. Saints
  10. Bears
  11. 49ers
  12. Cowboys
  13. Dolphins
  14. Colts
  15. Falcons
  16. Cardinals
  17. Bengals
  18. Seahawks
  19. Buccaneers
  20. Broncos
  21. Steelers
  22. Chargers
  23. Packers
  24. Vikings
  25. Texans
  26. Rams
  27. Ravens
  28. Lions
  29. Commanders
  30. Bills
  31. Chiefs
  32. Eagles

Broncos Place FB Michael Burton On IR, Cut 27 Players

August 26th, 2025 at 8:22pm CST by Ben Levine

The Broncos continued their (mostly) ongoing streak of UDFA rookies making the active roster. Linebacker Karene Reid has made the 53-man roster, marking the 21st time in the past 22 years that a college free agent has made the Broncos as a first-year player.

The rest of the team’s moves:

Released:

Waived:

Waived/injured:

  • DT Kristian Williams

Placed on IR (designated for return):

Placed on IR:

Fullback Michael Burton won’t play for the Broncos this season, as Sean Payton revealed that the veteran suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery (per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette). The 33-year-old appeared in every game for Denver over the past two seasons, garnering reps in about 17 percent of his team’s offensive snaps and 63 percent of his team’s special teams snaps. Over that span, Burton collected 90 yards from scrimmage on 27 touches, and he’s added another 10 special teams stops.

A number of these players could land back on the practice squad. Assuming they pass through waivers, it sounds like the following players are destined for Denver’s practice squad: wideout Michael Bandy (per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver), offensive lineman Joe Michalski (per Klis), offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton (per Klis), cornerback Jaden Robinson (per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston), and cornerback Reese Taylor (per Tomasson).

Broncos To Waive RB Audric Estime

August 25th, 2025 at 5:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos held a lengthy audition for their running back jobs behind their newly assembled top duo (J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey), and one of the losers in the derby has been revealed.

Denver is waiving second-year back Audric Estime, 9News’ Mike Klis reports. Drafted in the fifth round last year, Estime had been playing behind Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie during the preseason. The Broncos also waived rookie UDFA guard Xavier Truss, per a team announcement.

Even as the Broncos struggled to maximize a good run-blocking O-line last season, Estime could not earn the coaches’ trust to leapfrog Javonte Williams — who had not recaptured his pre-knee-injury form. Williams departed in free agency, but the team added Harvey and then Dobbins.

With McLaughlin still rostered and Badie impressing the team’s coaching staff, Estime had loomed as a likely cut. A practice squad spot could await, but the Notre Dame alum would need to clear waivers — which process at 11am CT Wednesday. The Broncos are indeed interested in retaining Estime on the P-squad, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson.

Three years remain on Estime’s rookie contract, but no guaranteed money is left on the deal. Estime is due $960K this season. As a non-vested veteran, Estime will not see that figure guarantee next month. The Broncos will take on barely $250K in dead money.

Last season, Estime produced 310 yards and two touchdowns on 76 carries. Two fumbles proved costly, however, and Sean Payton made Badie — who had missed most of the season due to injury — a gameday active over Estime for Denver’s wild-card game in Buffalo. That proved to be a sign of the coaching staff losing some faith. Estime, who saw a 4.71-second 40-yard dash time at the 2024 Combine ding his draft stock, received a start against the Chargers last December but otherwise came off the bench as a rookie. He will now wait on his next destination.

Clearing up the RB competition, the Broncos are also cutting Blake Watson, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Watson suffered a PCL strain during Denver’s preseason finale. Trade interest existed for Watson, who spent much of 2024 on the Broncos’ practice squad, so a claim for the second-year UDFA in play. If unclaimed, Watson is also a candidate to land on the Broncos’ practice squad, per Tomasson.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/24/25

August 24th, 2025 at 8:14pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor transactions that may have slipped through the cracks with a day full of mass cuts:

Buffalo Bills

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

New England Patriots

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Thompson-Robinson continues to struggle to find his place in the NFL. A fifth-round pick for the Browns out of UCLA, Thompson-Robinson was asked to make a number of spot starts in Cleveland. In five starts, he went 1-4, averaging about 150 passing yards per game. Over those two seasons, he scored only one touchdown while throwing 10 interceptions. He was sent to Philadelphia along with a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for Kenny Pickett, but the Eagles seemingly do not have a place for him.

Moore was hospitalized with a leg injury suffered in the Giants’ final preseason game but has been discharged following a successful surgery. Barring an injury settlement, he’ll spend the 2025 season on New York’s injured reserve.

Webb received a large signing bonus to sign with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent. While other teams will get their chance to claim him, the Broncos will hope to be able to bring him back to their practice squad.

John Franklin-Myers Addresses Lack Of Broncos Extension Talks

August 24th, 2025 at 11:12am CST by Adam La Rose

One of the top developments of this offseason in the case of the Broncos has been extension agreements with in-house players. Defensive linemen Zach Allen and wideout Courtland Sutton each have new four-year deals in hand.

Talks on a new pact are also taking place with edge rusher Nik Bonitto, meanwhile. As Denver prepares for a raise in that situation as well, defensive linemen John Franklin-Myers remains on course for free agency next spring. No extension negotiations have taken place in the veteran’s case, something he spoke about on Saturday.

“I’m here to play football whether they pay me or not,” Franklin-Myers said (via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette). “If not, I’ll be a free agent this offseason and my time is going to come. Obviously, we understand the contract thing. So, obviously go out there and put my best foot forward each and every day. But ultimately it’s the front office’s decision. But I’m here to play football with or without [an extension].”

Acquired via trade from the Jets in 2024, Franklin-Myers started all but one game during his debut Denver season (although he logged a defensive snap share of just 46%, a step down from recent seasons). Despite that reduction in workload, the 28-year-old enjoyed a career year in terms of sacks (seven), total stops (40) and tackles for loss (eight). Any new pact would naturally include a raise as a result.

For now, Franklin-Myers is set to collect $8MM in 2025 while carrying a cap hit of $10MM. Given the lack of discussions on an extension, it is unlikely an agreement will be reached prior to Week 1. As such, the former fourth-rounder’s performance during the season will be worth watching closely given its impact on his free agent stock.

The Broncos now have Allen attached to a $25MM-per-year extension, and D.J. Jones is on the books for another three seasons at an average of $13MM annually. Presuming a Bonitto pact eventually gets worked out, it would come as little surprise if the team avoided any further big-money investments along the defensive front. That could leave Franklin-Myers on the move next spring, with his market being dictated by his ability to duplicate last year’s success.

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