Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos SIGN Nik Bonitto To MASSIVE Contract Extension

Starting point is 00:00:00 Nick Benito is going to be eating at Casabon. Oneido quite a bit here this upcoming season after Denver Broncos inked him to a massive contract extension. That Denver defense is locked in for the long haul. We'll break it all down on today's episode. Locked on Broncos. You are locked on Broncos. Your daily Denver Broncos podcast. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day.

Starting point is 00:00:28 Chuching, that's the sound that Nick Benito heard this morning after the Denver Broncos and he agreed to terms on a four-year. contract, the extension worth up to $120 million, $70 million of that being guaranteed. The Broncos locking in one of their defensive superstars for the long haul. Welcome into another episode with Lockdown Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network where you know it's your team every day. I'm Cody Roark, Broncos reporter for Mile High Sports. Join, as always by Sarah Bedinger, site expert over there, but I'mly orange.com.

Starting point is 00:00:58 And we got a breaking news episode for all of you in Broncos country here today. as you all know. Nick Benito signed his contract extension before the week one season opener. We'll go through the latest details of that contract extension. We'll talk about how this fortifies the Broncos defense for the long haul and how it's also a little bit of a team-friendly deal here for Benito who has a chance to make more money down the road. Sarah, I love when we get breaking news here. This was something that we anticipated coming here. Nick Benito, the latest Denver Bronco to get the bag. 100%. This is a huge, huge contract for Nick Benito and the Denver.

Starting point is 00:01:33 for Broncos, the biggest non-quarterback contract in franchise history, which is pretty cool to think about when you consider Zach Allen just got a really big deal. Pat Certan, obviously, the reigning defensive player of the year. He got a big contract last year, but Nick Benito, of course, plays one of them premium positions, right? And those guys are always getting big money around the league. But especially when you look at what other players in the league are getting paid, Cody, you and I talked about it this offseason. We didn't feel like Benito was going and get up where DeNeal Hunter, Miles Garrett, T.J. Watt, all those sorts of players are, especially Michael Parsons. But we did feel like this could impact the overall number.

Starting point is 00:02:14 I think that when you look at this contract at 26.5 million per year with incentives that bring it up to potentially 30 million per year, it's not only a fair deal for Nick Benito, but it's a deal that's going to keep the Broncos with a much lower percentage on the salary cap than other teams that are paying big money to their past rush stars. Well, and on top of that, the salary cap, as you know, the Broncos, they're going to be off the hook with all that Russell Wilson dead cap next year, gives them more moves to make some moves. I think next season, depending on how this year goes, what can the Broncos do in order to make a big

Starting point is 00:02:45 splash, especially with Bo Nicks on a rookie deal. I mean, Nick deserves this contract. I mean, plain is simple. We've seen him ascend. His rookie season, it was a little bit of a struggle trying to get his feet wet, trying to figure out exactly what his role was going to be. And the crazy thing about Nick's season last year in 2024, he didn't even start the beginning of the year.

Starting point is 00:03:05 And that was the case in 2023. He didn't even start the beginning of the year then as well. You know, the Broncos last year, they locked in Jonathan Cooper. But Benito early on in the season was making his hey, just rotating in. Now he has emerged as a true starter and a guy who has insane work ethic. I'm excited to see his rise continually here. We saw obviously a dominant effort from him in the preseason. And we were thinking to ourselves at the,

Starting point is 00:03:28 like, all right, hey, you know, pay this man. Because there was, I think, a sense of pressure here as the Broncos were going through negotiations with Nick, is that if he gets off to a really hot start at the beginning of the season, which I personally feel like is the toughest stretch of schedule here for Denver, that drives the price up significantly. And then obviously, you know, Michael Parsons, his deal, everyone was wondering, well, you know, where is he going to get paid? Nick had a chance.

Starting point is 00:03:51 Like, if Nick had a really dominant 2025 here and didn't have an extension, he could have upper echelon himself maybe into that category. here. But also I think it speaks to the kind of the selflessness of this team and you know, guys like like Cortland and Zach Allen, they left some money on the table. Nick left some money on the table essentially here. They're keeping this nucleus intact. That, that to me is one of the more exciting developments. And he showed his focus too with a post that he put out there on his Twitter or X page after he signed the deal, right? He's saying, all right, let's go win a, you know what chip. Like he wants to go win a Super Bowl for the Broncos. You get the bag. Now you bring home the

Starting point is 00:04:28 where for this team, Cody, one of the things that I love most about the uniforms of the Broncos, where is they got those three triangles on it representing the three Lombardies in the trophy case, right? Now these guys that have been part of bringing this team out of the seller, they've been part of bringing this team out of maybe the most embarrassing low point that they've been at in franchise history, at least recent franchise history, right? Now they get an opportunity to go add a fourth triangle to the uniforms. And I think that would be so cool to see players like Nick Benito, who, man, he was the 64th pick in the NFL draft, acquired from that Bon Miller trade that everybody hated so much when it happened back in the 2021 season, right?

Starting point is 00:05:08 So we now get a chance to see what he can do as a core piece of this roster. And that's so exciting for Broncos country. We've got, you and I talked about this at the beginning of last year, who's going to emerge as Jersey guys for this team? Because we didn't know at the beginning of last year, who's going to be part of the core of this roster. Now we've seen like what, eight, nine guys get massive extensions over the last two years. It's really cool to see the way that this team has grown and especially for Benito, a second round pick coming through and delivering. I think it's also a reflection too of where Denver was,

Starting point is 00:05:42 right? Because how many times did we have fans here reach out to us to say, what, what jerseys should we buy? And we're like, we don't know. Like, it used to be von Miller. Von Miller was the jersey guy for you here. And, you know, we even said, hey, Pastor Tan will probably be a Jersey guy. That's obviously come to fruition here. Zach Allen, a Jersey guy. But now Broncos country, you can add number 15 Nick Benito to your list of Jersey collections. He's going to be here for the long haul.

Starting point is 00:06:07 And I think it's also a testament once again to what general manager George Peyton said when he took the job initially when John L.A. stepped away. Our goal is to draft and develop players and get them to second contracts, second and third contracts. Well, you drafted Nick Benito and you did it at a time where even the Broncos were, you know, stretched in with draft capital because of the Russell. Wilson trade there. I always found it funny that people are like, well, you can't pay Zach Allen, Nick

Starting point is 00:06:31 Benito, Cortland Sutton and all these other guys. Yeah, here they are. They did just that. They did, Cody. I mean, it's really exciting that this team is sort of going against what everybody's come to expect of them in recent years, right? I mean, with the new ownership in place, it's really time for everyone to shift the mindset of what this team is capable of doing when it comes to adding players

Starting point is 00:06:52 and free agency, when it comes to resigning core guys, they have the cash to be able to do these things, to be able to spread things out. The Broncos will use void years when needed. I mean, I don't want to put words in their mouth, but I think that it's just a different way of operating than when John Elway was the general manager. And we kind of just assumed that they would cut corners or they would let guys go after their rookie contracts expire or they would make low ball offers that wouldn't get accepted and they miss out on the guy leaving in free agency. It's a different way of operating. George Payton's goal has always been like you just mentioned. to get guys to second contracts, to reward players who play well for your team,

Starting point is 00:07:31 who develop within your own structure and who have the culture embedded in them that you want, that's what you want others to follow. Like people want, the people that are in charge of running the Broncos, they want young guys to follow the example of a Nick Benito who, man, he took his lumps as a rookie, right? We were all questioning going into 2023, is he even going to make this team? you know, was he too much of a one-trick pony coming out of Oklahoma? And then for him to come in the way that he did as a rotational player,

Starting point is 00:08:02 make an impact. And then in year three, man, what does he do? He's not even a starter, like you said, at the beginning of the year. And he just emerges as a pro bowl player, defensive player of the year candidate. It's really great to see what he's done. And you want to reward players like that because then other guys coming up from behind, they'll know, hey, if I work hard, I don't have to necessarily get it right in year one. If I keep working and get it right in year two, year three, this team will reward me for hard work. The Broncos way is changing.

Starting point is 00:08:30 And I guarantee you, look, the new team facility that's coming up, how the Broncos take care of their players, three agent prospects are going to be looking at it and say, you know what, the Ma'a City. That makes the Broncos a more appealing destination here. Broncos country, let us know your thoughts here on the Nick Benito contract extension. But we're going to go and dive a little bit deeper as to how the Broncos have kept this defensive nucleus intact for the foreseeable future and what it means for the Broncos window with Bo Nix on a rookie contract. You're going to get all that and more here on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos. Today's Lockdown Broncos is brought to our friends over there at DoorDash.

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Starting point is 00:11:29 They are paying their defensive core and they're keeping these guys together for the foreseeable future. You want to help out a young quarterback like Bo Nix? Hey, pay the guys who play defense and play it well. So we're going to discuss the core of this Denver Broncos defense, how George Payton, the general manager and this franchise are keeping that core intact on today's bonus episode, Lockdown Broncos, but really quick, want to say thank you to all of you every day listeners out there that make us part of your day, however you choose to do so. Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss a single episode like these ones right here when breaking news comes down through the wire. Cody, let's talk about this. I mean, we've spent a lot of

Starting point is 00:12:05 the offseason talking about how awesome the defensive core is for the Broncos, not just a great starting lineup, but tremendous depth. Now we're talking about the majority of the starters on this defense having long-term contracts with the team. It's really refreshing to see the team paying players because it means they're having success. But at the same time, man, you're keeping continuity. How crucial is that for a unit like this Denver defense? I mean, this is a unit that saw so much change in turn over,

Starting point is 00:12:36 as did the offense under previous regimes here in Denver. But the idea is that you keep the guys that you've had success with. Good things happen. I mean, Sarah, what a concept. I know we see teams like the Eagles. making these bold moves of trading away past rushers after what they did in the Super Bowl. The Broncos after Super Bowl 50, they lost a couple of guys as well to free agency because, you know, money talks or the Broncos weren't willing to pay.

Starting point is 00:12:59 Now the Broncos say, you know what? We like the guys that we have. We have a belief in this defensive group of players collectively that we need to keep this group intact. And I think a great example this offseason, they brought back DJ Jones, who Sean Payton says is one of the more important pieces of the defense. You lock in Zach Allen to a long-term deal after signing him initially a couple of years ago and free agency. You get him to a second contract at this juncture is impressive.

Starting point is 00:13:26 I think when you talk about his role and his growth as a player, you know, you bring in other guys like Malcolm Roach last year that, you know, has that veteran impact in addition. And then you lock in Jonathan Cooper, who you love what you see from him, the intangibles, the do-it-all, the underrated leader who just puts his head down and works. You never hear much from him. But, man, when he makes a play, you could definitely feel it. You can see it on the field.

Starting point is 00:13:47 And then you go out and I'd say you bring in a guy like Drake Greenlaw here in free agency. And yes, right now there are some concerns about the injury to his quad and where things are at. But we know what type of game changing player he can be. We've seen him play at that level in San Francisco. Can you do that here in Denver? Taleno, Hufanga comes in and free agency, becomes a captain right away in year one as the new guy, which is impressive in and of itself and how the team views him as a leader. on let's talk about Passertan,

Starting point is 00:14:14 the reigning NFL defensive player of the year and a nucleus of young cornerbacks and some impressive safeties with Brandon Jones as well. This nucleus is intact. The Broncos, to me, this move right here of them focusing on the defense. It's like, okay, Bo Nix is on a rookie deal right now. We locked in his best receiver. We have a rookie running back here.

Starting point is 00:14:34 We already have an expensive offensive line. Let's maximize this window here. This is the Broncos right now pushing the chips all the way in. 100% it is and it's exciting to see that because the organization has been saying this offseason that they believe this can be a Super Bowl caliber team right Sean Payton has said that and I know that it comes with the caveat of well yeah you always want to win the Super Bowl in the NFL but I think this proves that there is legitimate belief from the ownership on down because ultimately ownership is signing off on these contracts right these are this is a lot of money that is coming out of their account and I know that for them it might be kind of like you you know, me paying $10 for something because they have so much of it. But at the same time, it's a substantial investment in people for your organization, an organization that they just took over a couple of years ago. And so you want to obviously reward the right people within your organization.

Starting point is 00:15:29 And the Walton Penner ownership group, they have been signing off on these deals, knowing that, hey, George Payton, Sean Payton, these guys understand NFL talent. They understand how to build teams. They're doing it the right way. we saw last year, proof of concept, 10 wins, made the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, and this is the group of guys that they want to carry to the finish line, right? This is, they want to do this together. It's, it's not an incomplete thing.

Starting point is 00:15:54 They feel like they have the group right now and going forward, which is so exciting because, man, they're just, like I said earlier, they're putting their money where their mouth is. You had a funny play on words right there when you talked about incomplete. We look forward to hearing a lot of that this Sunday when the Bronco was host to Tennessee Titans here. And look, I imagine, too, there's going to be a little bit of extra fire here from Benito against Cam Ward and this Titans team. You get the contract extension done before the season. Now you know that you're taking care of. And look, I think everyone always worries and talks about after a player signs a contract is, okay, they got paid. Does this mean that, you know, they're not going to

Starting point is 00:16:28 give as much effort. I've seen Nick Benito work. I know his work ethic. I've seen Zach Allen work. I know his. I know Pat's. These guys aren't going to take plays off. They're not going to sit back can say, all right, hey, I got paid. Now I can kind of just coast. These guys, they want to go and do more. They want to, they live this. They love football. And I tell you, Nick is one guy who loves football so much.

Starting point is 00:16:48 He's such a fun person to be around away from just football. I've had a chance to talk with him and spend some time with him on a couple of things there. He's a really, really cool dude. I think he represents everything that the Broncos want, not only in the building, but away from the field as well. You never have to worry about distractions with him. I think that's for the real vast majority. of this defensive core. I mean, Sarah, my goodness, you talk about guys who are impact players.

Starting point is 00:17:12 The Broncos came into 2025 with every starter returning minus, you know, the new additions, right, Taleno, Hu Fonga, Dre Greenlaw, those are new additions, new upgrades at those positions specifically in terms of starters. But everybody's back. That to me is, it's rare. We don't see it that often in the NFL because of the amount of turnover where guys are at. I think it's a telling sign that guys want to stay in Denver. Yeah, it's something that even Sean Peyton reference, I was listening to his podcast that he did with Peter Schrager, and he was saying one of the things that he's really been kind of taken a back by

Starting point is 00:17:48 since coming to Denver is how many players, like he referenced Brian Dawkins, Peyton Manning, a number of others. He's like, these guys stay in Denver after they're done playing. They make their home here. They build their families here. It's just something about the embrace of the organization, the franchise, even when the Broncos weren't good. I think that was felt by a lot of different players, Cody.

Starting point is 00:18:11 I just believe that even like a Brandon Lloyd who came back last year. He was not with the team during great years. And yet he was so embraced by the fan base for a short amount of time. So you see these types of things. It's all cohesive. It works together. The coaches, the staff, the organization, the ownership now. I just feel like next year, man, how much of an asset is that new training

Starting point is 00:18:35 facility going to be knowing how healthy the organization already is, but adding now A plus grade facilities on top of it, this really just feels like the tip of the iceberg for where the Denver Broncos are going to be able to go moving forward. Well, let's hope that this defense at a mass 63 sacks last year, they can set the bar a little bit higher. They can get more. Maybe they can set the NFL record or they can have a record setting amount of takeaways this upcoming season here. Nick Benito is going to be a big driving factor of that here. Broncos country, that I'll wrap up today's breaking news bonus episode here of lockdown Broncos a little bit later on here today you're going to get our crossover Thursday preview sarer he sat down with tyler olin of locked

Starting point is 00:19:14 on tights make sure you check it out to get a big preview of the game and then tomorrow's episode of the show sarah and i we're going through our keys to victory our players to watch key matchups to watch and more our final game preview on tomorrow's episode locked on broncos

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos SIGN Nik Bonitto To MASSIVE Contract Extension

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