Who Should I Start? Nik Bonitto or Malcolm Rodriguez

Wednesday, February 5, 12:16 PM

Although Denver Broncos general manager George Paton said the team hasn't had conversations yet, The Athletic's Nick Kosmider thinks it will be a pressing question this offseason as to whether the team will agree to a lucrative contract extension with pass-rusher Nik Bonitto. The former second-rounder in 2022 is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2025 after he finished third in the NFL with 13.5 sacks to earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. Denver just signed pass-rusher Jonathan Cooper to a four-year extension worth up to $60 million last November. The Broncos could wait until just before training camp this summer to sign Bonitto to an extension, but the franchise tag is another option to keep him from reaching free agency next offseason. If an extension gets done with the 25-year-old, it could be the most lucrative contract in franchise history.

Friday, November 29, 1:08 PM

Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (knee) suffered a torn right ACL in Thursday's Thanksgiving Day win over the division-rival Chicago Bears and will miss the rest of the season. It's a tough blow for Rodriguez, who had started six games this year while picking up 43 tackles and two sacks. The 25-year-old's season-ending injury came in the fourth quarter of the eventual 23-20 victory over Chicago on Turkey Day. He had five tackles and one pass breakup in the game before departing. Rodriguez will certainly need surgery and could be in danger of missing the start of the 2025 season, depending on how his rehab goes in the offseason. The Lions defense also lost a key piece of their linebacking corps recently when Alex Anzalone broke his forearm. The 30-year-old is expected to miss six to eight weeks and was placed on Injured Reserve.