The Denver Broncos finally broke the curse last season. Thanks to Sean Payton. After eight long years, the team had its first winning season. They made it to the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50, where Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset. So, you could say that HC Sean Payton turned the ship around. Now the question hanging in the air is: Can he take them from comeback kids to legit contenders? The Broncos’ roster is still being stitched together. The team continues to explore free agency, looking to sign a veteran QB. And wrap up a few important contract extensions.
One of those extensions is for their edge rusher, Nik Bonitto. The 25-year-old will be entering the final year of his $5.8 million contract. According to several reports, Bonitto is eyeing an extension worth $20 million per year. For the Broncos, signing Nik to a $20 million AAV doesn’t sound like a bad deal. Former Broncos DE Trevor Pryce is echoing the same sentiment, as he urges the team to lock Bonitto in before the price goes up.
“He’s going to ask for the bag and he deserves it… Sign him right now because the price is just going to go up. What are you waiting for? Him to get 17 sacks? … It’s not like he’s going to… forget how to play football,” says Pryce. In the 2024 season, Nik had 13.5 sacks. His performance earned him his first-ever Pro Bowl. Bonitto also became the 8th player in the history of the team to ever reach 13 sacks in a single season.
Ex-star edge Trevor Pryce on #Broncos and NIk Bonitto: “He’s going to ask for the bag and he deserves it… Sign him right now because the price is just going to go up. What are you waiting for? Him to get 17 sacks? … It’s not like he’s going to… forget how to play football.”
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) May 6, 2025
Luckily for Bonitto, his breakthrough season came at the right moment, just as his contract extension is due. According to reports, the team has already begun discussions about the extension. The 25-year-old also reported for OTAs last April. So, while the Broncos brass sorts out key extensions, they are also keeping an eye on some fresh and veteran faces. The team will have their rookie minicamp this weekend, and along with newcomers, there is also a veteran stepping in with a shot to prove he belongs on the 90-man roster.
Sean Payton to add a veteran to the QB room?
Atlanta Falcons’ 2022 third-round, 74th overall pick Desmond Ridder has changed three teams over his three-year career. After being benched and downgraded in 2023 by then-HC Arthur Smith, the Falcons traded Ridder to the Cardinals in exchange for Kirk Cousins in 2024. During his time with the Cardinals, Desmond spent half the season on their practice squad before jumping to the Raiders‘ practice squad mid-season. In March, the Raiders informed the 25-year-old QB that they would not be retaining him, making him a free agent.
Desmond is still a free agent, now finally getting a chance to be on the Broncos’ roster. As per reports, “Desmond Ridder will have an opportunity to earn a spot on the Broncos’ roster during rookie minicamp this weekend.” The Broncos currently have their QB1, Bo Nix, in the room, along with two backup QBs, Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger. And now, Payton might add some more backup help. Ridder will probably be the biggest name at the rookie minicamp this weekend.
The Cincinnati Bearcats alum, Desmond, holds the record for most passing TDs in his college’s team history. Over his three-year NFL career, Ridder has completed about 64% of his passes, racking up 4,002 yards and 16 TDs. The QB has recorded 14 interceptions. Desmond hasn’t seen much action since getting traded by the Falcons.
So, there’s a bit of urgency in his football career now to secure a spot on a team’s roster. If he makes it to the Broncos, he’ll sit behind Bo Nix and might compete to be the QB2 among other backups. But that’s better than not being on any roster at all. So, we’ll see if Ridder can stand out at the rookie minicamp or not.
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