New Orleans

In a historic moment for the Denver Broncos, Pat Surtain II has earned the title of 2024 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year. This accolade was announced during the NFL Honors event, marking him as only the second player in Broncos’ history to receive this prestigious award. The first was Randy Gradishar, who took home the honor in 1978.

Surtain’s achievement is particularly notable as he becomes the first cornerback to win this league-wide award since 2019. At just 24 years old, he is also the seventh-youngest winner of the Defensive Player of the Year honor. Surtain joins a select group of players, including Hall of Famers like Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White, as one of only ten players in NFL history to earn this distinction alongside multiple first-team All-Pro selections within their first four seasons.

This season, Surtain defended at a remarkable level, ending the year with four interceptions and a solid number of passes defensed. Statistical analysis shows him leading the league in many critical defensive metrics. According to Next Gen Stats, Surtain allowed only 306 yards on 400 coverage snaps and maintained a low target rate of just 10.9 percent against opposing players.

His success also shone brightly among top-tier opponents, allowing only six receptions for 52 yards against Pro Bowl talents like Ja’Marr Chase and Travis Kelce, resulting in an impressive passer rating of 8.3 on 16 targets.

Beyond the Defensive Player of the Year award, Surtain’s stellar season has been recognized in many ways, including awards from the Pro Football Writers of America and a Pro Bowl selection. Expressing his joy, Surtain stated that he was relieved when his name was announced during the ceremony.

As the Broncos look forward to potential postseason accolades for other players, the franchise is also making strides off the field. Recently, they announced an initiative to distribute over 15,000 new Riddell Axiom smart helmets to high schools across the state. This initiative represents the largest philanthropic investment in the team’s history.

With standout performers like Pat Surtain II driving them forward, the future seems bright for the Denver Broncos.