Sports
The Denver Broncos are preparing to kick off their 2025 season this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, and all eyes are on their revamped defense. With head coach Sean Payton orchestrating the unit and the high-profile acquisitions of Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw from the San Francisco 49ers, expectations are sky-high that Denver will field one of the league’s most dominant defenses this year.
The good news didn’t stop there for the franchise. Earlier this week, the Broncos announced a monumental contract extension for one of their top defensive stars, edge rusher Nik Bonitto.
Shedeur Sanders ready for his big moment
Another deal in Denver: Nik Bonitto and the Broncos reached agreement today on a four-year extension worth up to $120 million, including $70 million guaranteed.
Reported ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
This landmark deal makes Bonitto the highest-paid non-quarterback in the history of the Broncos organization.
Bonitto’s massive payday comes on the heels of a spectacular 2024 campaign in which he emerged as a cornerstone of the team’s defense. His breakout season solidified his reputation as one of the NFL’s rising stars and earned him the financial security that will benefit him and his family for years to come.
The advantage of Bo Nix’s rookie deal
Denver’s front office was able to execute such a significant move in part because rookie quarterback Bo Nix remains on his initial contract. The financial flexibility provided by having a young signal-caller on a rookie-scale deal gave the team room to lock up multiple stars.
Earlier this offseason, the Broncos also extended cornerback Patrick Surtain II, last year’s Defensive Player of the Year. Securing both Bonitto and Surtain gives Denver a formidable defensive core to build around, ensuring that Payton’s vision of a powerhouse unit can take shape without salary cap constraints.
Under Payton’s leadership, the Broncos have undergone a radical transformation. Once struggling to stay relevant in the AFC West, Denver now projects as a legitimate contender ready to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs, who have long dominated the division.
A highly competitive AFC West
While the Chiefs remain the team to beat, other rivals have improved as well. Jim Harbaugh has quickly elevated the Los Angeles Chargers, making them serious challengers for the division title.
The Las Vegas Raiders, meanwhile, brought veteran coach Pete Carroll back to the NFL. However, their preseason performances were far from convincing, casting doubts on whether they can be competitive in the early stages of the campaign.
NFL kickoff weekend
The 2025 NFL season officially begins Thursday, September 4, with a marquee matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. The following day, the first international game of the year takes place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, as the Chargers face off against the Chiefs in a historic Friday night clash.
Sunday’s slate features several intriguing contests, capped by the Baltimore Ravens visiting the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football. The week concludes with a Monday Night Football showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, wrapping up an exciting opening weekend for the league.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Touchback or TD? Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith Sparks Controversy vs. Michigan
Every big game has its big moments, and every big game also has its big controversies.For Week 14's matchup between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 15 Michigan, the controversy came in the second quarter with Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.Faced with a fourth-and-5 at the Michigan 35-yard line, Ohio State opted to keep the offense on the field, and quarterback Julian Sayin hit Smith for a go-ahead touchdown with 11:44 remaining in the first half.On replay review, Smith appeared to shuffle possession of the football with his foot out of bounds when he crossed the plane. If that were the case, it would've been a touchback. Moreover, FOX Sports Rules Expert Mike Pereira opined on the live broadcast on FOX that the call should've indeed been overturned and ruled a touchback, which would've taken the touchdown off the board.Instead, […]
‘Chelsea getting better and better’ – Maresca ready for ‘big moment’ against Arsenal
Enzo Maresca admits Sunday's meeting with Arsenal is a "big moment" in Chelsea's season, but warned that his side are getting "better and better".Maresca's side go into the game at Stamford Bridge sitting six points behind Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders, knowing that a victory could halve the gap. Coming off the back of a statement victory over Barcelona in the Champions League, there is no time to dwell ahead of what could be a season-defining contest. "It's a big moment," the Chelsea boss told Sky Sports. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Steve Sidwell described Chelsea's Champions League win over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge as 'sensational' "Especially because it's a derby. It's against Arsenal. They are in good form. "Defensively they are very good. And then offensively they are fantastic players. They have different weapons, […]
Catarina Macario Scores Twice In the U.S. Women’s 3-0 Win Over Italy
Catarina Macario scored two goals and the United States defeated Italy 3-0 on Saturday night in a friendly match at Inter&Co Stadium.It was the first of two friendlies between the teams, with the second scheduled for Dec. 1 in Fort Lauderdale.<!-->Olivia Moultrie also scored while goalkeeper Claudia Dickey earned the shutout in just her fifth appearance at the senior level."I think obviously we wanted to keep building on the performances we had last camp, and the 2emphasis on coming out strong and sticking to our principles, and I think that's what we did," said U.S. veteran Rose Lavelle, who earned her 116th cap. "Overall, I think a really good team performance."The United States wasted no time in attacking Italy’s goalie Laura Giuliani, scoring inside the first two minutes.Fresh off their NWSL title with Gotham, Lilly Reale found teammate Lavelle to […]
Catarina Macario Scores Twice In the U.S. Women’s 3-0 Win Over Italy
Catarina Macario scored two goals and the United States defeated Italy 3-0 on Saturday night in a friendly match at Inter&Co Stadium.It was the first of two friendlies between the teams, with the second scheduled for Dec. 1 in Fort Lauderdale.<!-->Olivia Moultrie also scored while goalkeeper Claudia Dickey earned the shutout in just her fifth appearance at the senior level."I think obviously we wanted to keep building on the performances we had last camp, and the 2emphasis on coming out strong and sticking to our principles, and I think that's what we did," said U.S. veteran Rose Lavelle, who earned her 116th cap. "Overall, I think a really good team performance."The United States wasted no time in attacking Italy’s goalie Laura Giuliani, scoring inside the first two minutes.Fresh off their NWSL title with Gotham, Lilly Reale found teammate Lavelle to […]
Piastri beats Norris to Qatar pole to boost title-race fightback hopes
Oscar Piastri continued his title-race fightback at the Qatar Grand Prix by beating championship leader Lando Norris to pole position. Having won the Sprint at the Lusail International Circuit earlier on Saturday to reduce Norris' title lead to 22 points, Piastri edged out his McLaren team-mate to secure pole for the penultimate race of the season of Sunday, live on Sky Sports F1 at 4pm. Max Verstappen, who also retains a chance of winning the drivers' title from his position 25 points back from Norris, was third behind the McLarens. Norris led Piastri after the first runs in Q3 but aborted his second attempt after an early error, leaving the door open for the Australian to take pole by just over a tenth of a second with a time of 1:19.387.Norris can become world champion with a race to spare […]
Piastri beats Norris to Qatar pole to boost title-race fightback hopes
Oscar Piastri continued his title-race fightback at the Qatar Grand Prix by beating championship leader Lando Norris to pole position. Having won the Sprint at the Lusail International Circuit earlier on Saturday to reduce Norris' title lead to 22 points, Piastri edged out his McLaren team-mate to secure pole for the penultimate race of the season of Sunday, live on Sky Sports F1 at 4pm. Max Verstappen, who also retains a chance of winning the drivers' title from his position 25 points back from Norris, was third behind the McLarens. Norris led Piastri after the first runs in Q3 but aborted his second attempt after an early error, leaving the door open for the Australian to take pole by just over a tenth of a second with a time of 1:19.387.Norris can become world champion with a race to spare […]
Related
Touchback or TD? Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith Sparks Controversy vs. Michigan
Every big game has its big moments, and every big game also has its big controversies.For Week 14's matchup between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 15 Michigan, the controversy came in the second quarter with Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.Faced with a fourth-and-5 at the Michigan 35-yard line, Ohio State opted to keep the offense on the field, and quarterback Julian Sayin hit Smith for a go-ahead touchdown with 11:44 remaining in the first half.On replay review, Smith appeared to shuffle possession of the football with his foot out of bounds when he crossed the plane. If that were the case, it would've been a touchback. Moreover, FOX Sports Rules Expert Mike Pereira opined on the live broadcast on FOX that the call should've indeed been overturned and ruled a touchback, which would've taken the touchdown off the board.Instead, […]
‘Chelsea getting better and better’ – Maresca ready for ‘big moment’ against Arsenal
Enzo Maresca admits Sunday's meeting with Arsenal is a "big moment" in Chelsea's season, but warned that his side are getting "better and better".Maresca's side go into the game at Stamford Bridge sitting six points behind Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders, knowing that a victory could halve the gap. Coming off the back of a statement victory over Barcelona in the Champions League, there is no time to dwell ahead of what could be a season-defining contest. "It's a big moment," the Chelsea boss told Sky Sports. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Steve Sidwell described Chelsea's Champions League win over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge as 'sensational' "Especially because it's a derby. It's against Arsenal. They are in good form. "Defensively they are very good. And then offensively they are fantastic players. They have different weapons, […]
Catarina Macario Scores Twice In the U.S. Women’s 3-0 Win Over Italy
Catarina Macario scored two goals and the United States defeated Italy 3-0 on Saturday night in a friendly match at Inter&Co Stadium.It was the first of two friendlies between the teams, with the second scheduled for Dec. 1 in Fort Lauderdale.<!-->Olivia Moultrie also scored while goalkeeper Claudia Dickey earned the shutout in just her fifth appearance at the senior level."I think obviously we wanted to keep building on the performances we had last camp, and the 2emphasis on coming out strong and sticking to our principles, and I think that's what we did," said U.S. veteran Rose Lavelle, who earned her 116th cap. "Overall, I think a really good team performance."The United States wasted no time in attacking Italy’s goalie Laura Giuliani, scoring inside the first two minutes.Fresh off their NWSL title with Gotham, Lilly Reale found teammate Lavelle to […]
Catarina Macario Scores Twice In the U.S. Women’s 3-0 Win Over Italy
Catarina Macario scored two goals and the United States defeated Italy 3-0 on Saturday night in a friendly match at Inter&Co Stadium.It was the first of two friendlies between the teams, with the second scheduled for Dec. 1 in Fort Lauderdale.<!-->Olivia Moultrie also scored while goalkeeper Claudia Dickey earned the shutout in just her fifth appearance at the senior level."I think obviously we wanted to keep building on the performances we had last camp, and the 2emphasis on coming out strong and sticking to our principles, and I think that's what we did," said U.S. veteran Rose Lavelle, who earned her 116th cap. "Overall, I think a really good team performance."The United States wasted no time in attacking Italy’s goalie Laura Giuliani, scoring inside the first two minutes.Fresh off their NWSL title with Gotham, Lilly Reale found teammate Lavelle to […]
Piastri beats Norris to Qatar pole to boost title-race fightback hopes
Oscar Piastri continued his title-race fightback at the Qatar Grand Prix by beating championship leader Lando Norris to pole position. Having won the Sprint at the Lusail International Circuit earlier on Saturday to reduce Norris' title lead to 22 points, Piastri edged out his McLaren team-mate to secure pole for the penultimate race of the season of Sunday, live on Sky Sports F1 at 4pm. Max Verstappen, who also retains a chance of winning the drivers' title from his position 25 points back from Norris, was third behind the McLarens. Norris led Piastri after the first runs in Q3 but aborted his second attempt after an early error, leaving the door open for the Australian to take pole by just over a tenth of a second with a time of 1:19.387.Norris can become world champion with a race to spare […]
Piastri beats Norris to Qatar pole to boost title-race fightback hopes
Oscar Piastri continued his title-race fightback at the Qatar Grand Prix by beating championship leader Lando Norris to pole position. Having won the Sprint at the Lusail International Circuit earlier on Saturday to reduce Norris' title lead to 22 points, Piastri edged out his McLaren team-mate to secure pole for the penultimate race of the season of Sunday, live on Sky Sports F1 at 4pm. Max Verstappen, who also retains a chance of winning the drivers' title from his position 25 points back from Norris, was third behind the McLarens. Norris led Piastri after the first runs in Q3 but aborted his second attempt after an early error, leaving the door open for the Australian to take pole by just over a tenth of a second with a time of 1:19.387.Norris can become world champion with a race to spare […]
Be the first to leave a comment