Denver Broncos' historical deal for Nik Bonitto has echoed the faith up in Green Bay when it comes to defense in the NFL.
Micah Parsons has been the talk of the league after he was traded by the Dallas Cowboys, joining up with the Packers in not so sunny Wisconsin.
After being drafted in 2021, the 26-year-old was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was named in the All-Pro first team on two occasions, in 2021 and 2022.
In the final days of August, the Cowboys traded Parsons with the Green Bay Packers.
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In exchange, they received defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks for 2026 and 2027. Parsons signed a four-year contract worth an astonishing $188 million, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
With the Packers, he arrives with the expectation of helping the team reach a fifth Super Bowl and their first since 2010.
In another example of NFL teams placing a greater importance on the positions outside quarterback, Bonitto has signed a major deal with the Broncos.
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He has agreed a four-year contract, which could be worth $120 million if all incentives are met, with $70 million guaranteed.
It makes the 25-year-old the highest-paid non-quarterback in the history of the Broncos. While short of Parsons deal with Green Bay, it shows the value franchises are putting outside of the pocket.
How big is Nik Bonitto's contract?
For defensive players, it ranks among the biggest deals ever, although it is surpassed by the recent record-breaking contract of Parsons.
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Back in 2015, Ndamukong Suh signed a six-year deal worth up to $114 million, and a year later Von Miller also signed a six-year deal which slightly surpassed that mark.
These deals highlight the rising value of defensive players are becoming more highly valued.
But these contracts are still dwarfed by the deals handed out to quarterbacks.
In 2020, Patrick Mahomes, of the Kansas City Chiefs, signed a 10-year contract worth $477 million, which at the time was the largest in sporting history.
What about the deal for Micah Parsons?
For Parsons, his arrival at the Packers will undoubtedly increase expectations for the upcoming season.
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Even basketball star LeBron James has spoken about his admiration for Parsons.
On an Instagram Live back in 2023, he compared him to the legendary former quarterback Lawrence Taylor.
He said: "Micah Parsons is a flat-out beast. Keep going, kid. It's like watching Lawrence Taylor again, the way you play with that speed and that velocity and that strength, and that passion. It's like watching LT all over again."
With Parsons and Bonitto signing record-breaking contracts, it is clear that the NFL is putting more time in to prioritising defensive stars who could make or break a season, especially when it comes to getting your hands on the Lombardi Trophy.
Topics: American Football, NFL
James Taylor