November 13th 2024.
Nik Bonitto is a force to be reckoned with on the football field. His speed is unmatched and he knows how to use it to his advantage. In the recent game against the Chiefs, Bonitto put his best trait on display as he went after quarterback Patrick Mahomes with ferocity.
As soon as the ball was snapped, Bonitto exploded like a cannon, leaving the opposing team scrambling to stop him. Tight end Peyton Hendershot tried to slow him down, but Bonitto was too quick. Even rookie left tackle Kingsley Suamataia couldn't keep up with him.
In a matter of seconds, Bonitto managed to take down Mahomes, who is known for being difficult to sack. It was a perfect example of the impact Bonitto has had on the field in his third season in the NFL. Opponents have taken notice and are now forced to send extra players to stop him, but Bonitto still finds a way to get to the quarterback.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton has seen the growth of Bonitto firsthand and is impressed by his progress. "He's certainly made the leap," Payton remarked. "He has a lot of potential when it comes to his pass rush and he knows how to set someone up. He's been a huge asset to our team."
Bonitto's performance has only gotten better since he was drafted in 2022. In his rookie season, he had 1.5 sacks in 15 games, but in his second year, he recorded eight sacks and 50 pressures according to NFL's Next Gen Stats. This season, he's on track to surpass those numbers and possibly even make a case for the Pro Bowl.
He currently has 32 pressures and seven sacks, tied for seventh in the league with other notable players like Kyle Van Noy, Myles Garrett, and Jonathan Greenard. He also has an impressive get-off time of 0.76 seconds and has recorded 11 pressures in less than three seconds, according to Next Gen Stats. Bonitto has been especially dominant in the third quarter, with three sacks and 11 pressures, tying him for second in the league.
Payton attributes Bonitto's success to his ability to bend and torque his body, making him a difficult player to stop. Jamar Cain, the Broncos' defensive line coach, has been instrumental in Bonitto's development, having worked with him during his time at Oklahoma. Cain helped Bonitto use his natural athleticism to become a game-changing player on the edge. Timing has been key for Bonitto, as he has learned to anticipate snap counts and not just rely on the quarterback's cadence.
The Broncos have been searching for a dominant pass rusher since the departure of Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Bonitto is now stepping into that role and has shown his potential with back-to-back sacks against the Bears and Jets last season. This year, he has recorded a sack in seven of the last eight games, and he's currently leading the team in sacks alongside Jonathon Cooper.
In addition to his impressive stats, Bonitto has also drawn four holding penalties, making him one of the most difficult players for offensive linemen to handle, according to Sports Info Solutions. Cain believes that Bonitto's growth is evident on film and is excited to see him continue to make an impact on game day.
Although the Broncos' recent loss to the Chiefs will be remembered for the blocked field goal attempt, Bonitto's performance should not go unnoticed. He was one of the best players on the field, despite only registering one sack on 25 pass rushes. He could have easily had four sacks if not for some close calls. His pressure rate was an impressive 24%, making it his fourth consecutive game with a pressure rate of at least 20%.
Inside linebacker Justin Strnad recognizes Bonitto's contribution to the team, stating, "He continues to make plays for us." With Bonitto's continued growth and impact on the field, it's clear that he has a bright future ahead of him in the NFL.
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