Denver Broncos defender punished for harsh treatment of team
Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto was fined $8,791 for calling Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith for “roughing the passer.” The incident occurred in the first quarter and Bonitto’s penalty did not go unnoticed by league officials. Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post mentioned that the action was considered overly aggressive and warranted a fine.
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Likewise, safety Brandon Jones was fined $11,255 for unnecessarily rough handling of Seattle wide receiver Jake Bobo in the final quarter of the game. This was the second disciplinary action against the Broncos in their first game and shows that the league is keeping a close eye on player behavior.
These fines are the first of the season for the Broncos, but the team’s history with fines is well known. Last year, former Denver safety Kareem Jackson was hit with multiple fines and suspensions that cost him over $648,558. Jackson’s disciplinary record has made him one of the most penalized players in recent team history.
Looking ahead, Denver is now focused on its upcoming Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite playing at home, the Broncos enter the matchup as underdogs. The game will be broadcast regionally on CBS and can be streamed via fuboTV. However, fans will be hoping the team can overcome these early challenges and rebound from the opening loss.
As the season progresses, the Broncos must strengthen their defense and avoid unnecessary penalties. The financial impact of such penalties can quickly add up and affect the team’s overall discipline – a lesson learned from Kareem Jackson’s costly 2023 season.
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