ENGLEWOOD – Nik Bonitto has set a goal for this season. If all goes well, he might need to make an adjustment to it. 

The Broncos outside linebacker had 13.5 sacks in his breakout season of 2024. That helped him earlier this month get a four-year, $106 million contract extension. 

“I want to get more than 13 and a half for sure,’’ Bonitto told The Denver Gazette about 2025. 

If he passes that figure, Bonitto figures to reset his goal. The Broncos’ single-season record is 18.5 sacks by Von Miller in 2012. 

“Very reasonable,’’ Bonitto said about possibly breaking that mark. “As long as I remain healthy, I feel I have the confidence in myself to go do it.” 

So, what about 20 sacks in a season? That has been accomplished 13 times in the NFL since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. The record is 22.5, set by Michael Strahan of the New York Giants in 2001 and tied by T.J. Watt of Pittsburgh in 2021. 

“That’d be hard for sure,’’ Bonitto, speaking after a practice at Broncos Park in advance of Monday night’s game against Cincinnati at Empower Field at Mile High, said about possibly getting 20 sacks. “I would definitely want to get as many sacks as I can but 20, that’s going to be some work behind that one. … It’s going to be a push for sure, so we’re going to see.” 

It’s very early in the season, but Bonitto is off to a good start. He has three sacks in three games, including two in last Sunday’s 23-20 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers. He has come close to some other sacks. 

“It’s good,’’ Bonitto said of his start. “I still feel like I could be a little bit better. I missed out on some opportunities to make even more plays. It’s been going good. I just got to keep going. That’s really it.” 

Bonitto’s 13.5 sacks in 2024, his third NFL season, tied for the sixth most in a season by a Denver player. The only better sack seasons were by Miller in 2012, Elvis Dumervil (17) in 2009, Simon Fletcher (16) in 1992, Miller (14.5) in 2018, and Miller (14) in 2014. 

All those sack totals of 14 or more came in 16-game seasons. The NFL expanded to a 17-game schedule in 2021, which gives Bonitto an extra game to perhaps chase Miller’s team record. 

“The way Nik practices, the way he plays, how fast he is, the way he moves, the way he rushes, I could see it,’’ Broncos defensive lineman Jordan Jackson said of Bonitto perhaps breaking the mark. “I’ve got complete faith in my guy.” 

Bonitto has great respect for Miller, who played with the Broncos from 2011-21 and is now with Washington. When Bonitto was taken by Denver in the second round of the 2022 draft, he said the eight-time Pro Bowl selection texted him. 

“He just congratulated me and told me how much of a great city this is,’’ Bonitto said. 

Miller spent the past three seasons with Buffalo. After the Bills defeated the Broncos 31-7 to open the playoffs last January, Bonitto met with Miller on the field. 

“We chatted a little bit,’’ Bonitto said. “When we talked, he was like I’m having a great year, keep it up, keep getting better.” 

Bonitto last season was named to the Pro Bowl and was second-team All-Pro. If he were to seriously challenge Miller’s team sack record, he would be a good bet for first-team All-Pro. 

“The sky’s the limit for someone like Nik,’’ said Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad. “He could have as many sacks as anybody (in the NFL).’’ 

Strnad said one of the keys for Bonitto is how quickly he gets off the line of scrimmage. 

“I think it’s what makes his game what it is,’’ Strnad said. “It’s special. He’s able to jump the snap count with that get-off and put a lot of stress on those tackles.” 

Jackson called it “insane how fast he gets off” the line of scrimmage. Bonitto said part of it involves having “natural ability’’ but that he also puts lot of work into it. 

“Just studying the cadence (of the quarterback) throughout the week,’’ Bonitto said. “Just having a feel for it throughout the game. When the play clock is getting down and closer to zero, it’s just knowing that the ball can be snapped at any moment. So just be ready to get off.” 

Bonitto’s new-found popularity after last season landed him a marketing deal with Nike. While he can’t say much about what is to come, he said it could involve “appearances” and “commercials.” 

For now, Bonitto on Monday will look to tee off on Bengals quarterback Jake Browning, who will start his second straight game in place of Joe Burrow, out at least until December after suffering a toe injury in Week 2. Browning was sacked three times in Cincinnati’s 48-10 loss last Sunday at Minnesota. 

If Bonitto gets one sack Monday, he will remain on pace to reach his goal of having more than 13.5 in 2025. If he gets two for a second straight game, he would be on pace to have a 20-sack season.