Linebacker Nik Bonitto achieves major achievement in Broncos history

Nik Bonitto achieved a first-of-its-kind honor Friday.

Selected by the Pro Football Writers of America Denver Chapter, the Broncos outside linebacker was named the recipient of both the Demaryius Thomas Team MVP Award and the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award.

The Team MVP honor, named for the former Broncos receiver who died in 2021, has been presented for five consecutive seasons. The Good Guy Award, named after the late Denver cornerback who died in 2007, has been awarded for 19 straight years. Bonitto is the first player to win both awards in the same season.

Nik Bonitto honored to win both awards

“It honestly, truly, is an honor to get recognized not just for my play but for my character as a person,’’ Bonitto said. “Knowing (of) the two guys before me that are named after the awards with Demaryius and Darrent being such high-character guys in the locker room and in Denver, they’ve held a high standard, and I’m just trying to live to that standard every day.”

Bonitto leads the Broncos with 12.5 sacks entering Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High.

Nik Bonitto — good media guy

The Good Guy Award is given to a Broncos player who shows enthusiasm, cooperation and honesty in dealings with the media. Bonitto said he was “kind of shocked” to receive the honor but added it was “pretty cool” when he learned he had won it.

Bonitto, now in his fourth season with Denver, said he has learned by watching Broncos tackle Mike McGlinchey, the 2023 Good Guy Award winner, and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper, who received the honor in 2024, in their interactions with the media.

“I knew I kind of had the intangibles to be up for those types of awards,’’ Bonitto said. “I just had to wait my turn a little bit.”