With Justin Simmons
no longer in the fold, Patrick Surtain is in place as the centerpiece of the Broncos’ secondary. The latter also profiles as one of the team’s top financial priorities as he is now eligible for an extension.
To little surprise, Denver picked up Surtain’s 2025 fifth-year option. That has him on track to earn $19.8M next year, although a long-term accord will check in at a much higher price. The Broncos are interested in an extension, one which could approach or reach the top of the cornerback market. Surtain’s latest remarks on the matter demonstrate the feeling is mutual.
“Yeah, definitely,” the 24-year-old said of interest in a long-term Broncos accord, via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. “When you see those [Ring of Fame] players on the wall and see what they’ve done, it just gives you great inspiration and you look forward to those things to fulfill. Obviously, I want to be a Bronco, so I definitely want to see my name up in the rafters.”
Surtain’s name has been floated in trade rumors, but the Broncos have understandably driven a hard bargain to date. A pair of first-round picks was the starting point in negotiations, and while three teams submitted an offer ahead of the trade deadline, no deal came close to being worked out. Leading up to the draft, the Alabama alum was thought to be a potential chip in a Denver trade-up endeavor. The Broncos stayed put, though, and selected Bo Nix at No. 12.
When asked about the possibility of being dealt before Day 1 of the draft, Surtain said he did not expect to be moved. With he and the Broncos in line to remain together for at least two more years, attention can now turn to the progress of extension talks. The former first-rounder posted four interceptions as a rookie and followed that up by earning first-team All-Pro honors one year later. 2023 did not result in the same accolades, but Surtain did manage to receive a second straight Pro Bowl nod.
The cornerback market includes three producers (Jaire Alexander, Denzel Ward and Jalen Ramsey) who are attached to deals averaging $20M or more. Surtain will no doubt look to reach that plateau, although cap increases could lead to him aiming for the top of the pecking order at the position. With Nix on his rookie deal and few big-money investments on defense, the Broncos could be positioned to make a lucrative Surtain investment. Whether or not one is agreed to this summer will be a key storyline to follow.
