Who Should I Start? Nik Bonitto or Nakobe Dean

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.

Monday, January 13, 12:03 PM

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean (knee) suffered a torn patellar tendon in his knee late in the wild-card win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday and will miss the rest of the playoffs. It's a tough blow for the Eagles and Deal, who was at the tail end of a breakout season. He now has a long road to recovery and will likely miss the start of the 2025 regular season this fall. The Eagles were bracing for a serious injury after Dean had to be carted off the field in Philadelphia on Sunday. He underwent an MRI exam on Monday morning to confirm the serious injury. The former third-rounder in 2022 out of Georgia emerged as a starter in 2024 in his third year in the league and had an impressive 128 tackles (80 solo), a career-high three sacks, nine tackles for loss, six QB hits, one interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 15 regular-season starts. It's a notable loss for Philly's D the rest of the way.