The Denver Broncos have had a resurgent season in the second year of head coach Sean Payton.
They are currently sitting at a record of 8-5 and in playoff position in the AFC.
One reason the team has been so resurgent is the defense, which has been led by third-year edge-rusher Nik Bonitto.
Former NFL player and current ESPN analyst Marcus Spears recently compared Bonitto to Pittsburgh Steelers star defender T.J. Watt.
“Nik Bonitto is carrying the Denver defense right now. He is having a T.J. Watt-type impact on the Denver Broncos defense,” Spears said Tuesday on NFL Live.
"[Nik Bonitto] is having a T.J. Watt-type impact on the Denver Broncos defense."@mspears96 speaks on the No. 2 sack leader in the NFL ? pic.twitter.com/gERUDSaC53
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 3, 2024
Right now, Bonitto is second in the league in sacks with 11.
He also had a highlight-reel 71-yard pick-six in the team’s win on Monday Night Football over the Cleveland Browns.
The former Oklahoma Sooner has found a way to get better and better each season of his young career.
In 2022, as a rookie, he recorded just 1.5 sacks before recording eight last season.
Now, he is showing that he can be one of the best defenders in football.
He is close to breaking his career marks in tackles for loss and quarterback hits.
Bonitto might not have the career numbers and aura of a player like Watt just yet, but he is starting to perform like him consistently.
He may win the Defensive Player of the Year soon if he keeps it up.
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