Playing central roles in the Broncos’ first playoff berth since their Super Bowl 50 victory, Courtland Sutton, Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen reside as the team’s top extension candidates this offseason. No deals should be expected for a bit, however.
As the draft nears, the team will prioritize its next wave of rookie-scale contracts rather than divert attention to veterans seeking new deals. The Broncos are tabling all extension talks until after the draft, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. While also naming John Franklin-Myers and Malcolm Roach as extension candidates, Tomasson points to the Allen-Bonitto-Sutton trio as key options here. Although extensions regularly take place in March and April, Denver completed four notable deals (with Quinn Meinerz, Patrick Surtain, Jonathon Cooper and Garett Bolles) last year, with none coming before July.
Out of the trade-rumor cycle for the first time in ages, Sutton posted his second 1,000-yard season and helped Bo Nix finish with the second-most touchdown passes (29) by a rookie in NFL history. The team has tabbed 2025 as the window for a Sutton payday, after merely agreeing to an incentive package after the veteran receiver pushed for a deal last year, and is planning talks. Still tied to a contract signed in 2021, Sutton resides as the NFL’s 27th-highest-paid wideout. The John Elway-era draftee is going into an age-30 season and will be prepared to force the extension issue as the season nears.
Allen and Bonitto each surged to the All-Pro tier last season, both landing second-team honors while powering the Broncos’ pass rush. A former J.J. Watt sidekick in Arizona, Allen has played in Vance Joseph‘s defense throughout his six-year career. He broke through with a career year in 2024, leading all interior D-linemen in pressures (47) and finishing second overall. Allen, 27, finished with a career-high 8.5 sacks and a staggering 40 QB hits from his 3-4 D-end position. Signed to a three-year, $45MM deal, the former third-round pick is interested in a second Broncos contract.
That production helped Bonitto’s breakout, and the Broncos saw their 2022 second-rounder raise his value considerably last season. The Oklahoma alum produced 13.5 sacks and two defensive touchdowns, helping swing late-season wins against the Browns and Colts. Denver already extended Jonathon Cooper in 2024, giving him a four-year, $54MM deal just before trading Baron Browning. Bonitto’s price, especially after this offseason has already brought monster EDGE deals to raise that market’s ceiling, will check in much higher on a second contract. The team is naturally interested in paying Bonitto.
As the Broncos’ focus shifts to rookies, the team used a “30” visit on one of this deep running back class’ top names. Former Ohio State and Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins is stopping through Denver for a meeting, 9News’ Mike Klis notes. A 2024 teammate of fellow high-end RB prospect TreVeyon Henderson, Judkins cut into the former five-star recruit’s workload with the national champion Buckeyes. The two formed a productive partnership, with Judkins using the transfer portal to finish a dominant college career.
Judkins finished 3-for-3 in 1,000-yard seasons in college. A 1,567-yard rusher as a freshman in 2022, Judkins formed a rare 1,000-1,000 pair with Henderson last season. The Columbus import led the Buckeyes with 1,060 yards (5.5 per tote) and 14 touchdowns last season. While Henderson brings a bit more to the table as a receiver, a trait Sean Payton prioritizes, Judkins produced better college rushing numbers. Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board ranks Henderson 33rd and Judkins 36th among a strong RB class.
With the Broncos losing Javonte Williams in free agency, they are expected to draft a running back. Denver could go with a back early, as the team may be lacking a starter-level runner even as it returns Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime. Holding the Nos. 20 and 51 overall picks to start the draft, Denver is unlikely to see the Ohio State duo available in Round 2 barring a trade-up move.
