The old saying in football is that “defense wins championships.” The Denver Broncos invested in that mantra by picking up the fifth-year option of Patrick Surtain II, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.

Top betting sites in the US always have high expectations for the Broncos’ performance, largely due to the impact of key players like Surtain. Keeping Patrick Surtain Jr. in the mix will be a boost for the Broncos in a year that could be full of growing pains.

Patrick Surtain Contract

After being drafted 9th overall in 2021, the Broncos signed Patrick Surtain II to a four-year, $20.96 million rookie contract. The deal came with a club option for a fifth year at a base salary of $19.802 million.

Among cornerbacks, only Marlon Humphrey of the Baltimore Ravens and Jaire Alexander of the Green Bay Packers will make more than the $19.802 million that the Patrick Surtain contract will pay out. Surtain II will need a new deal going into 2025, though, so that could get to be quite expensive.

Patrick Surtain Jr. Stats

When you look at Patrick Surtain Jr.’s stats, it becomes evident why the Broncos exercised that fifth-year option so quickly. He had four interceptions as a rookie but that was just the start.

As a second-year corner, he played in nearly 97% of the team’s defensive snaps. Though his interception numbers dropped (down to two), teams stopped throwing at him. He simply cut off his half of the field.

His 60 total tackles also showed a willingness to contribute to the run defense, something that not all cornerbacks are willing to do. He took a role as a leader on the Broncos defense almost immediately and it showed with a First-Team All-Pro nod.

In his third year, Surtain II took more than 99% of the defensive snaps. He upped his tackle total to 69 and had just one interception, earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl. Surtain II enters his fourth year ready to be a lockdown corner once again.

Patrick Surtain Jr. Legacy

Surtain II has lived up to his namesake so far. His dad earned three Pro Bowl nods and a pair of All-Pro selections. During his time with the Miami Dolphins, he was one of the best cornerbacks the league had to offer.

The Broncos will have a ton of questions heading into 2024. Though the Broncos were one of the worst teams in opposing completion percentage last year, Surtain II certainly was not a reason for that.

The Broncos made a run that almost landed a playoff spot in 2023 before ultimately falling short. If the team is going to navigate a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix who will no doubt experience serious growing pains, they will need to lean on Surtain II and the defense.

For at least one more season, the Broncos have one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in their secondary. Sooner rather than later, it will be time to shell out for a big deal for the 24-year-old cornerback.

John Mali Director of Media Relations

Director of Media Relations at AboutBoulder.com

john@aboutboulder.com