Broncos Highlighted After Avoiding $100 Million Fallout With ‘Rarer Commodity’

Broncos Beat Potential $30 Million Price Tag for Pat Surtain II

Timing is key in any contract negotiation, and the Broncos certainly took advantage of theirs with Corry pointing to the offensive side of the ball for another example.

“Becoming the NFL’s first $30 million-per-year defensive back wouldn’t be out of the question with the Bengals planning on making [Ja’Marr] Chase the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback. That means eclipsing [Myles] Garrett’s new $40 million-per-year extension with the Browns,” Corry wrote.

“Shutdown cornerbacks, like Surtain, are rarer commodities than elite wide receivers. According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Surtain was on Chase for 43 of 56 coverage snaps when the Broncos played the Bengals in Week 17 last season. Surtain limited Chase to three catches for 27 yards on six targets.”

Corry pointed to Surtain limiting Chase to three receptions for 27 yards when the Broncos and Bengals faced off in Week 17. That was one of many strong performances for Surtain in 2204.

Instead, the Broncos secured the top defensive player in the league last season while maintaining the financial flexibility that allowed them to act aggressively in free agency this offseason. Notably, there is no guaranteed money on Surtain’s contract after 2025.Surtain, who turns 25 in April, secured a hefty payday and can try to renegotiate in a couple of seasons or hit free agency in 2029 when he is 29 years old.

Pat Surtain II Proved Himself Right

This take from Corry, a former sports agent, is strikingly different from some of the commentary that emerged after the Broncos extended Surtain.

“There’s no doubt that they’re betting on cornerback Patrick Surtain II with that new four-year, $96 million contract,” Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon wrote on September 6. “The guy has been good, but far from excellent, and many of his advanced numbers have declined. Bold move with the 24-year-old when it wasn’t necessarily a rush.”