Broncos’ Nik Bonitto’s confident take on potentially breaking Von Miller’s record

Nik Bonitto has no problem setting the bar high. After breaking out in 2024 with 13.5 sacks, the Denver Broncos outside linebacker believes he can take the next step and challenge the Broncos' franchise standard.

The single-season sack record for the Broncos is 18.5, set by Von Miller in 2012. Bonitto sees that number as well within reach.

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

Bonitto signed a four-year, $106 million extension after his Pro Bowl and All-Pro campaign last season. His 13.5 sacks tied for the sixth-most in franchise history, and with the NFL’s expanded 17-game schedule, he has an additional opportunity to push toward Miller’s mark.

Broncos' pass rush is surging

The Broncos have made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks to open the season. Through three games, Denver leads the NFL with 12 sacks, paced by Bonitto’s three. Jonathan Cooper and Justin Strnad have chipped in two apiece, while defensive lineman Zach Allen has added one sack but leads the league with 10 quarterback hits.

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“It’s insane how fast he gets off the line,” Allen said of Bonitto. “The way he practices, the way he rushes, I could see him breaking that record.”

Bonitto admits reaching 20 sacks, a feat accomplished only 13 times since sacks became official in 1982, would be a much taller task. But the possibility of surpassing Miller’s total motivates him.

“I would definitely want to get as many sacks as I can, but 20, that’s going to be some work,” Bonitto said. “It’s going to be a push for sure, so we’re going to see.”

With Denver at 1-2 but finding consistency on defense, Bonitto’s chase could be one of the season’s most compelling storylines. If he continues at his current pace, he would finish with 17 sacks, leaving him on the doorstep of history.

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

Giants HC Reveals Jaxson Dart Injury Status After Chargers Scare

One game with Jaxson Dart as the starting quarterback led to one win for the New York Giants, but victory wasn’t without cost, with the rookie signal-caller enduring a pair of injury scares.

Dart was evaluated for concussion and briefly hobbled by a hamstring problem during the 21-18 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. It was no surprise head coach Brian Daboll, the man who made the call to turn to Dart over veteran Russell Wilson, was quickly asked about the injury status of his first-year passer shortly after the game.

Daboll offered an emphatic answer, providing exactly the update Giants fans want to hear. He told reporters, “I know 6 is probably going to be sore, he gutted it out. Son’s a tough son of a you know what. He’s tough, I knew that,” per SNY.tv’s Giants Videos.

"I know 6 is probably going to be sore, he gutted it out. Son's a tough son of a you know what. He's tough, I knew that"

Brian Daboll on Jaxson Dart: pic.twitter.com/gpbM7aYdRw

— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) September 28, 2025

Those are just the words Dart’s teammates will welcome after they lost star wide receiver Malik Nabers to a potential torn ACL. Nabers’ absence will put more pressure on Dart to continue being aggressive and risking his own body in pursuit of big plays.

Jaxson Dart Risked It All for Giants Win

Dart had to risk it all for the Giants to upset the undefeated Chargers. He did so by rushing 10 times for 54 yards, including for his first NFL touchdown on this designed QB draw to open the scoring.

Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka were content to lean into Dart’s threat as a runner, but it proved a risky strategy more than once against a rugged Chargers defense. Dart was willing to run, and his bravado won over the doubters, during a tough, but memorable first start.

Especially once he returned to the field after visibly clutching at his hamstring, a nervy moment, highlighted by Giants Nation Show.

Dart’s dodgy hammy wasn’t the only cause for concern. The 25th pick in the 2025 NFL draft also had to go through the concussion protocol, when he was sent for evaluation after taking a whack to the dome after yet another run.

Unfortunately, the bruising gain was wiped out by a holding penalty, before the deposed Wilson got back onto the field briefly, per Rate the Refs.

Dart soon “cleared protocol,” according to Giants.com Managing Editor Dan Salomone, and the sense of relief at MetLife Stadium was palpable when the 22-year-old returned. He’d proved his toughness, but injury scares should serve as a warning to Daboll and the Giants after Dart took too much punishment.

Giants Must Give Jaxson Dart Better Protection

When he wasn’t taking hits in the open field as a runner, Dart was being worked over in the pocket. He absorbed five sacks and nine hits to mark a tough welcome to competitive action in the pros.

Dart’s ability to bounce back from a beating earned the respect of senior Giants players, including Dexter Lawrence II. The All-Pro nose tackle applauded Dart as “tough. He took some hits, but got back up and made the plays we needed to help us win. And that’s what matters most,” per SNY’tv’s Giants Videos.

"He's tough. He took some hits, but got back up and made the plays we needed to help us win. And that's what matters most."

– Dexter Lawrence on Jaxson Dart pic.twitter.com/25dYcZrVz3

— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) September 28, 2025

Dart showing his team he’s a fighter can only be a good thing for the Giants, but Daboll won’t want to see a repeat of those sack and pressure numbers. Not when he’s pinned the hopes of not only this season, but also his own immediate job security, on Dart’s throwing arm and active legs.

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