Nik Bonitto is chasing quarterbacks and history.  

The Broncos’ fourth-year edge rusher leads the NFL with seven sacks entering Week 6 against the Jets in London. Bonitto is on pace for 24 total sacks. That would be the most in NFL history, surpassing the single-season record of 22.5 sacks — set by the Giants’ Michael Strahan (2001) and tied by Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt (2021).  

“He’s been top of this league for a while,” outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper told reporters in London when asked about Bonitto. “His instincts are off the charts. His get off, the way he plays the game, the way he approaches (it). He’s smarter than what you give him credit for. He’s smart out there. He’s a great teammate. He’s a great dude. You live right and you do things right (and) the success comes. So, for everything that he’s doing, more power to him. I couldn’t be happier.” 

Bonitto claimed AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors Wednesday for his performance last week against the Eagles in a 21-17 road win. He posted four tackles, 21/2 sacks, three quarterback hits and two tackles for loss. Bonitto is also doing it with a reduced snap count.  

Coach Sean Payton previously explained the need to monitor Bonitto’s total plays to maximize his effectiveness. Payton said there is “an attrition to doing what those guys in the front do” and the Broncos prefer to rotate in fresh pass rushers. It seems to be working. 

Bonitto has played 61% (196) of all defensive snaps over five games. He still has two more sacks than Lions star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson — who played on 92% (277) of all Detroit plays on defense. That snap reduction should help Bonitto’s quest for Broncos’ pass rushing greatness. 

Last month, Bonitto told The Denver Gazette it was “very reasonable” to eclipse the single-season franchise record (18.5 sacks) set by Von Miller in 2012. Bonitto also sought the advice of ex-Denver edge rusher DeMarcus Ware. So, how does Bonitto’s hot start compare to the best Broncos pass rushers in history? 

Here is a closer look at how they stack up. 

Most sacks in Broncos history through five games 

Elvis Dumervil (2009): 8.0  

Nik Bonitto (2025): 7.0  

Simon Fletcher (1989): 6.5  

Von Miller (2016): 6.5  

Von Miller (2014): 6.0  

Rulon Jones (1986): 6.0  

Karl Mecklenburg (1985): 6.0 

Most sacks in a single Broncos season 

Von Miller (2012) — 18.5 (first five games: 5) 

Elvis Dumervil (2009) — 17 (first five games: 8) 

Simon Fletcher (1992) — 16 (first five games: 1) 

Bonitto game-by-game sacks 

1 — vs. Titans on Sept. 7 

0 — at Colts on Sept. 14 

2 — at Chargers on Sept. 21 

1.5 — vs. Bengals on Sept. 29 

2.5 — at Eagles on Oct. 5 

Jets outlook 

The Jets (0-5) have allowed 16 sacks between quarterback Justin Field and Tyrod Taylor over five games. Bonitto has double-digit sacks in three consecutive outings. New York is well aware of Bonitto and the entire Broncos defense entering Sunday’s international matchup.  

“Well, they have two edge guys that are pretty elite,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn told New York media Wednesday. “They have interior guys I think do a hell of a job. And when you have the corners, the man-to-man guys you have, it makes the quarterback hold the ball for a quite a bit. I think they do a good job of coordinating how they want to play defense, and they’re very aggressive. … Our o-line has their work cut out for them, and they know that.”