The Brink’s truck is rolling to Pat Surtain II’s crib.
The Broncos have agreed with the All-Pro on a four-year contract extension, multiple sources told The Denver Post on Wednesday morning, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history and further cementing him as cornerstone of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Surtain’s deal is worth $96 million, with $77.5 guaranteed. He will earn an average of $24 million per year, surpassing Green Bay’s Jaire Alexander ($21 million), Atlanta’s AJ Terrell ($20.25 million) and Cleveland’s Denzel Ward ($20.1 million) in average annual compensation.
In July, Denver locked down starting right guard Quinn Meinerz for the long term, signing the big belly lineman to a four-year extension, worth up to $80 million. The Broncos now have secured foundational pieces for two of the most valuable positions on the field.
Surtain became Denver’s highest draft pick under general manager George Paton when the team selected him at ninth overall in 2021. Since then, Surtain has cemented himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the league, starting in 49 of 50 career games, totaling 170 tackles, 36 passes defended and seven interceptions.
Last season, he earned his second Pro Bowl nod after he collected 69 tackles and 12 passes defended while holding opposing quarterbacks to a 88.2 passer rating.
A contract extension had been looming over Surtain since the completion of his third year in the league. Surtain avoided dwelling on his contract situation but made it clear that he wanted to be in Denver for the long term. So did the Broncos, who picked up his fifth-year option in March.
“Year after year, I’m just trying to get to that next level. I would love to be here for that,” Surtain told The Denver Post.
Surtain’s career trajectory had led him to this point. Surtain, the son of former NFL defensive back Pat Surtain Sr., was a five-star recruit coming out of the football powerhouse, American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida. He spent three years playing under former coach Nick Saban at Alabama, where he was a unanimous first team All-American by the Associated Press.
Since Surtain has been in the league, he has received praise from current and former players. He was ranked No. 52 in this year’s NFL Top 100 list — voted on by the players. Former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman compared Surtain to Darelle Revis while Broncos legend Champ Bailey, arguably one of the best to play the position, said last season Surtain had the potential to be an “all-time great.”
Surtain Sr., who spent 11 seasons in the NFL, said his son hasn’t reached his peak yet.
“I think in the next couple of years, you’ll see a guy who is capable of making it to Canton one day,” Surtain Sr., the current defensive backs coach at Florida State, told The Post. “I know that’s the goal he sets for himself.”
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