The Broncos led the NFL with 63 sacks as Nik Bonitto (13.5) led the way. Here are the team’s individual sack leaders from the 2024 season.
The Denver Broncos‘ impressive defense led the NFL with 63 sacks during the 2024 season, setting a new franchise record.
Broncos outside linebackers Nik Bonitto (13.5 sacks) and Jonathon Cooper (10.5 sacks) became the team’s first double-digit sack duo since Von Miller (14.5) and Bradley Chubb (12.0) in 2018.
Not far behind were defensive linemen Zach Allen (8.5) and John Franklin-Myers (7.0). Denver also got solid productive from backup rotational pass rushers Jonah Elliss (5.0) and Dondrea Tillman (5.0).
The Broncos had 16 different players record at least a half-sack in 2024, which helps explain how they ended up leading the league with 63. Here’s a look at all of Denver’s individual sack totals from the 2024 season.
Broncos 2024 sack leaders
Nik Bonitto: 13.5
Jonathon Cooper: 10.5
Zach Allen: 8.5
John Franklin-Myers: 7.0
Jonah Elliss: 5.0
Dondrea Tillman: 5.0
Justin Strnad: 3.0
Malcolm Roach: 2.5
Cody Barton: 1.5
D.J. Jones: 1.0
P.J. Locke: 1.0
Ja’Quan McMillian: 1.0
Devon Key: 1.0
Jordan Jackson: 1.0
Drew Sanders: 1.0
Eyioma Uwazurike: 0.5
Bonitto, Cooper, Allen, JFM and Ellis are all under contract for 2025, so the Broncos should be able to continue appling heavy pressure next season.
Sunday’s events will begin at 3 p.m. ET (1 p.m. MT) in a three-hour special on ESPN and ABC. The flag football game (and skills competitions) will be available to stream on FuboTV (try it free).
The Denver Broncos sent three players to the Pro Bowl this year – cornerback Pat Surtain, pass rusher Nik Bonitto and returner Marvin Mims. Additionally, Denver had two alternates – quarterback Bo Nix and guard Quinn Meinerz – who declined being added to the AFC roster as replacement players.
2025 Pro Bowl Games
What: 2025 NFL Pro Bowl When: Sunday, Feb. 2 Time: 3 p.m. ET (1 p.m. MT) TV: ESPN and ABC Stream: FuboTV (try it free) Rosters: See below
Since switching to a flag football format, the AFC has been coached by Peyton Manning and the NFC has been coached by Eli Manning. The NFC is 2-0 against the AFC in the flag football format.
There are 25 players who were initially named alternates that have since been added to the rosters are replacement players. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (fourth alternate) and guard Quinn Meinerz (first alternate) both declined being added to the AFC squad.
Denver’s three players initially selected to the all-star game — cornerback Pat Surtain, pass rusher Nik Bonitto and returner Marvin Mims — are set to start for the AFC.
This year’s AFC quarterbacks are Joe Burrow (initial selection), Drake Maye (replaced Lamar Jackson) and Russell Wilson (replaced Josh Allen). The NFC’s QBs are Sam Darnold (initial selection), Jared Goff (initial selection) and Baker Mayfield (replaced Jayden Daniels).
The Pro Bowl Skills Show will air live on ESPN tonight. Here’s the full list of challenges.
The Pro Bowl Skills Challenge has been renamed the Pro Bowl Skills Show and the 2025 edition will be held tonight (Thursday, Jan. 30) from 7-8:30 p.m. ET (5-6:30 p.m. MT).
The made-for-TV event will be nationally televised on ESPN and available to stream on FuboTV (try it free). Following the skills show, the players will return to action in a flag football game on Sunday, Feb. 2.
The Denver Broncos have three players participating in the Pro Bowl Games this year: cornerback Pat Surtain, pass rusher Nik Bonitto and returner Marvin Mims. Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz and quarterback Bo Nix were also invited as alternates but they declined.
Peyton Manning (AFC) and Eli Manning (NFC) are returning to coach the 2025 Pro Bowl Games this season and the NFL recently announced the skills challenges that will take place in Orlando. Here’s the full list.
Broncos CB Pat Surtain, OLB Nik Bonitto and WR Marvin Mims will all participate in the Relay Race during the Pro Bowl Skills Show on Thursday night.
Players from each conference complete a 40-yard dash before handing a football to the next athlete on their team.
Passing The Test: Quarterbacks try to hit targets at various distances around the field worth different point values in 40 seconds. Before the challenge, each quarterback will select a Pro Bowl Games teammate to answer five trivia questions about current Pro Bowl players. For every correct answer, the quarterback gets an additional 10 seconds. The winner of the competition is the team with the quarterback who scores the most points.
Satisfying Catches presented by SNICKERS®: One wide receiver, tight end and defensive back from each conference will compete in a challenge obstacle course, including catches from a jugs machine at three different distances, to test every aspect of catching a football. Each teammate will complete the course back-to-back with the lowest combined time winning the challenge.
Relay Race: A simultaneous relay-style event where four players from each conference complete a 40-yard dash before handing a football to the next athlete on their team, continuing until the fourth and final leg crosses the finish line. The conferences will compete in three rounds, with the fastest team winning.
Helmet Harmony: A game show to test player knowledge of their teammates, with every correct answer worth one point. The team with the most correct answers wins.
Dodgeball presented by Bud Light: A three-round tournament of classic dodgeball featuring six teams of five players. Teams will be a mix of AFC offensive, defensive and special teams players competing against a mix of NFC offensive, defensive and special teams players.
Sunday, Feb. 2:
Punt Perfect: Two players (one punter, one non-punter) from each conference punt from the 35-yard line, attempting to place as many punts as possible into a set of six buckets in the end zone. Each bucket is worth one point, with every fifth punt worth three points. The two players with the highest combined score will be the winners.
The Great Football Race: Six players from each conference will face off in a relay race consisting of five different challenges, culminating with a sled push. The team to cross the finish line first wins.
Tug-of-War: A five-on-five demonstration of teamwork, strength and strategy, and positioned above a foam pit, players are challenged to pull backwards on the rope, attempting to move the opposing team in their direction. The competition will be the best of three, and the winner who pulls the opposing team into the foam pit twice wins.
The Pro Bowl Games are held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
“They’re well deserved, and [I’m] excited for the opportunity those other may have as alternates,” Sean Payton said of Denver’s Pro Bowlers.
Earlier this month, three Denver Broncos players — cornerback Pat Surtain, pass rusher Nik Bonitto and returner Marvin Mims — were elected to the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl.
Surtain, Bonitto and Mims were named starters for the AFC squad that will be coached by former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. Denver also had eight players named alternates for this year’s Pro Bowl.
“I’m always excited for those guys and just as much — we had a number of alternates,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said on Jan. 3. “It’s always a big deal to these guys.”
The Pro Bowl has switched to a flag football format, but being voted to the all-star game is still a precious honor that helps players improve their resumes.
“[E]ach year when they talk about Hall of Fame for these guys, they discuss ProBowls and All-Pro,” Payton said. “Those things are brought up. I’m excited for those three. They’re well deserved, and [I’m] excited for the opportunity those other may have as alternates.”
Surtain has now been elected to the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons.
“It’s a huge honor to be [selected] for the ProBowl,” PS2 said on Jan. 2. “It just goes to show the type of year I’ve had, along with this team. We had me, Marvin, Nik and a bunch of other guys [as alternates], too. I think when you put team success along individual success, you get accolades like that.”
Surtain is familiar with the all-star treatment, but Bonitto will be making his first trip to the Pro Bowl after totaling 13.5 sacks in 2024.
“It means the world,” Bonitto said. “Just knowing that it was something that I always dreamed of as a kid. Just being able to watch it all the time as a kid and trying to envision myself one day being there, for it to be a reality now is a dream come true.”
Mims, meanwhile, is just the second Bronco to reach the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons, joining team legend Von Miller (2011-2012).
“It’s pretty cool,” Mims said. “I saw that this morning. Any time I can be recognized in the same stat as him, it’s amazing. He was a great player for this organization, this franchise. Even till this day, people talk about him and it’s always positive things. Just to be recognized in the same area as him is a special thing for me.”
Denver guard Quinn Meinerz and long snapper Mitch Fraboni are both first alternates, so they are the team’s most likely players to be added to the Pro Bowl roster next week.
The Pro Bowl will have a skills competition on Thursday, Jan. 30 (ESPN) followed by a flag football game on Sunday, Feb. 2 (ESPN/ABC). Peyton Manning (AFC) and Eli Manning (NFC) will coach the teams in Orlando.
Not everyone thinks the Broncos should give Nik Bonitto an extension in 2025. Perhaps that’s what he was referring to?
After wrapping up his third season in the NFL, Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto is now eligible to receive a contract extension, but it remains to be seen if the team will give him one.
Bonitto took to social media on Tuesday with cryptic message that was seemingly posted in response to something he’s seen or heard.
Bonitto could be responding to anything, but the discourse on Twitter/X about a potential extension easily could have popped up on his timeline.
One fan used a meme of a famous Norman Rockwell painting on Monday to note that he does not think Bonitto should get an extension this offseason.
Lots of people taking this as a shot at Bonnito, It’s not. This is about the fit within the current construction of the Edge room. Bonnito is an awesome pass rusher who deserves a payday, I just think it might be best for us if he gets that somewhere else.
“[T]hey don’t need to extend him a year early,” @SuperrNova38 wrote. “See what he dues next year before you shell out that money even if it costs you more.”
Bonitto didn’t respond to anyone specifically, so it’s unclear exactly what his tweet was responding to.
For full disclosure, it should be noted that Broncos Wire might not have helped the matter by publishing this early Tuesday morning:
Bonitto is a great pass rusher, but he’s still not stout enough defending the run. Jonathon Cooper is probably the team’s most well-rounded edge defender, but he’s not an elite pass rusher. The Broncos can probably afford to go into 2025 with the same starters, but an outside linebacker capable of setting the edge would be a useful addition.
Bonitto, 25, totaled 13.5 sacks in 2024 and scored two defensive touchdowns. He has one year left on his contract with Denver.
The Broncos’ season has come to an end. Here’s what we learned from Denver’s 2024 campaign.
The Denver Broncos crashed out of the NFL playoffs with a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon, ending their postseason run in the first round. With the season now wrapped up, here’s a quick look at ten takeaways from 2024.
1. Javonte Williams is probably done in Denver
(Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)
Williams, who will turn 25 in April, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. After rushing 217 times for 774 yards last season, Williams saw his carries drop to 139 in his second year under coach Sean Payton. His 3.7 yards per carry average was only slightly better than last season (3.6), and Payton seemed to prefer Jaleel McLaughlin down the stretch. Williams is a good blocker, but it’s hard to imagine the Broncos re-signing him this offseason. Payton will likely want to add a dynamic running back to the backfield in 2025.
2. Pat Surtain should win Defensive Player of the Year
(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Surtain had a brilliant season, allowing a league-low 306 passing yards among qualified cornerbacks. PS2 also grabbed four interceptions, including a 100-yard pick-six. After earning first-team All-Pro honors, Surtain seems like a near-lock to win the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year award. Pass rusher Nik Bonitto also turned in a brilliant season with 13.5 sacks and a pair of defensive touchdowns.
3. Denver found a perfect role for Marvin Mims
(The Enquirer/Albert Cesare / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Mims made the Pro Bowl as a returner in his rookie season, but he was barely utilized on offense. That changed this year as Payton found creative ways to get Mims involved, including reps at running back. Mims ended the year with 39 receptions for 503 yards and six touchdowns plus 13 carries for 42 yards. He also made the Pro Bowl again after leading the NFL with 15.7 yards per punt return in 2024. Mims is an all-around weapon for Denver.
Allen had a career year with with 75 pressures, 61 tackles, 40 quarterback hits, 8.5 sacks, one pass breakup and one safety in 16 games. Allen only being a fourth alternate for the Pro Bowl was an absurd snub, demonstrated by the Associated Press naming him a second-team All-Pro.
5. Courtland Sutton was great, but the Broncos need more at WR
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)
Sutton posted career highs in receptions (81) and receiving touchdowns (eight) this year, and his 1,081 yards were just 31 shy of his career high. It was a strong year for the team’s No. 1 receiver, but Denver needs to add more playmakers at the position in 2025. Too many receivers (Sutton included) dropped passes this season, and Mims was the only WR on the team who was a big-play threat every time he touched the ball. Whether it’s through free agency or the draft (or both), the Broncos need to upgrade the position.
6. Vance Joseph had a strong season overall
(Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
There were, of course, bumps in the road, and the unit did not end the season on a strong note, but Joseph’s defense had a good year overall. The Broncos’ defense ended up ranked eighth in takeaways (25), seventh in yards allowed per game (317.1), third in points allowed (18.3) and first in sacks (63), posting a new franchise record. Joseph is now a head coach candidate, but it remains to be seen if he’ll land a promotion in 2025. Fans who look at the season-long picture will appreciate the job Joseph did, especially considering…
7. Denver needs to upgrade linebacker and safety
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
P.J. Locke is a quality nickelback and a very good No. 3 safety, but he was often a weak link in coverage as a starter during the 2024 season. The Broncos need to add a starting-caliber safety to play across from Brandon Jones in 2025. Denver also needs to add at least one starting inside linebacker, preferably one that excels in coverage. Cody Barton and Justin Strnad are both scheduled to become free agents and Alex Singleton will be coming off ACL surgery in 2025. Joseph needs better personnel, especially at LB and S.
8. Bo Nix had one of the best rookie seasons ever
(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Nix struggled early in the season before taking huge strides. He ended the year with 29 passing touchdowns, second-most among rookies in NFL history. Nix broke all of Denver’s major rookie passing records and his seven games with multiple touchdowns and no turnovers are an NFL rookie record. Nix is also the first rookie QB to ever post multiple games with 300 passing yards, four touchdowns and a passer rating above 140. Additionally, Nix made plenty of plays on the ground, finishing third on the team with 430 rushing yards while tied for first with four rushing scores (and he caught a TD pass this year, too). Nix had his share of rookie growing pains, but it’s clear that the Broncos have found their guy at quarterback.
9. Sean Payton did more with less
(Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images)
Going into the season, the Broncos had an over/under win total of 5.5, and their roster was ranked dead last in the NFL. Denver was also hindered by a $53 million dead money salary cap hit after releasing QB Russell Wilson. Despite those obstacles, Payton went 10-7 and made the NFL playoffs with a rookie quarterback under center. It certainly wasn’t a perfect season — and Payton wasn’t without blame for some of the losses — but it was a huge step in the right direction. Payton snapped the team’s eight-year losing streak and nine-year playoff drought in Year 2. Now with a full selection of draft picks and a lot more salary cap space, it’s fair to expect the Broncos to take another step forward under Payton in 2025.
10. The Broncos are trending up
(Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)
Despite being a young team, Denver produced five All-Pros, three Pro Bowlers and a whopping eight Pro Bowl alternates in 2024. The Broncos gave extensions to guard Quinn Meinerz, cornerback Pat Surtain, outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper and left tackle Garett Bolles in 2024, setting Nix up for success going forward. Nix still has three seasons left on his rookie contract, plus a fifth-year option for the 2028 season. With an impressive young core of players and a promising QB on a rookie contract, Denver has a legitimate chance to make noise sooner than later. The future looks bright in Denver.
“It stings,” Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto said after a playoff loss to the Bills on Sunday.
The Denver Broncos were knocked out of the playoffs following a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, ending their impressive season.
Going into the year, the Broncos were given an over/under line of 5.5 wins in 2024. Denver ended up smashing the over with a 10-7 record, but their overachieving season came to an end in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Following the loss in Buffalo, Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto gave a teary interview to Scotty Gange of 9News.
“Knowing the kind of work that we put in this year, and we didn’t get the result that we wanted — it stings,” Bonitto said. “But I’m also proud because I know how many doubters we proved wrong this year. And how many people didn’t have us for nothing. We didn’t care, we just came to work every week, so I was really proud of the guys.”
Bonitto totaled four tackles and one quarterback hit on Sunday. He ranked third in the regular season with 13.5 sacks, a new career high. Bonitto and Co. will now look to improve on the 2024 campaign next season.
Oklahoma Sooners lead the way in number of NFL All-Pro selections.
The Oklahoma Sooners may not have had a lot of success at the collegiate level in 2024, but Sooners in the NFL are thriving this year. On Friday, the NFL’s All-Pro teams were announced, which featured five former Oklahoma Sooners.
Center [autotag]Creed Humphrey[/autotag] and return man [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] were voted to the first team. Wide receiver [autotag]CeeDee Lamb[/autotag], offensive tackle [autotag]Lane Johnson[/autotag], and edge rusher [autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag] were named to the second team.
This was Humphrey’s second All-Pro selection in his four years in the NFL and Mims first honor. Lamb was selected for the third year in a row after another 100-catch season for the Dallas Cowboys. This is Johnson’s fifth All-Pro selection and fourth in a row.
Bonitto, the lone Sooner selected to the defensive squad, had a breakout season with 13.5 sacks for the playoff-bound Denver Broncos.
The Sooners had the most All-Pro selections of any university this season.
Meinerz earned a 87.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus this season, third-best among NFL guards.
Mims led the NFL with 15.7 yards per punt return in 2024, becoming the first Bronco to lead the league in that category since Rick Upchurch (16.1 in 1983).
Bonitto ranked third in the NFL with 13.5 sacks this season and he scored a pair of touchdowns, one pick-six and one fumble-six.
Allen totaled 40 quarterback hits and 8.5 sacks in 2024. He also ranked first among IDL with 75 pressures this season, according to PFF.
Surtain, Bonitto and Mims were previously named Pro Bowl starters. Allen and Meinerz are alternates for this year’s Pro Bowl. Surtain and Mims also made the NFLPA All-Pro team following the 2024 season.
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