Early reports out of Broncos training camp sound fantastic for second-year pass rusher Nik Bonitto, so here's a look back at all of the best pass rush reps from his rookie season. (Pre + Reg) pic.twitter.com/gXePNBAsVf
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Denver Broncos second-year pass rusher Nik Bonitto is coming off an underwhelming rookie season in which he totaled just 1.5 sacks in 15 games (one start).
Two weeks into Bonttio’s second training camp, signs seem to be pointing toward a potential breakthrough season for the 23-year-old outside linebacker.
“We have his college coach,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said when asked about Bonitto on Aug. 2. “Obviously, sometimes there’s a bigger learning curve for guys. It’s a production position, right? It’s one in which you’re getting to the quarterback, you’re affecting him — doesn’t mean you have to be sacking him — and then you’re holding up in the running game. This will be a big training camp for him.”
This offseason, Payton hired Jamar Cain to serve as Denver’s new pass rush specialist. He previously coached Oklahoma’s outside linebackers and defensive ends from 2020-2021, overlapping with Bonttio.
Bonitto totaled 16 sacks in 21 games under Cain’s coaching. That doesn’t guarantee Bonttio’s college production will now translate to the NFL level with the Broncos, but reuniting with a familiar coach might help the young pass rusher take a step forward in his career.
Bonitto will get his first in-game opportunity to impress the team’s new coaching staff in Denver’s preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Friday.
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