Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II won 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, but that’s not stopping him from setting higher benchmarks heading into the 2025 season.
“There’s always something out there to do better,” Surtain said at his football camp Saturday, via DNVR Sports’ Zac Stevens. “I mean, why not get another [DPOY]? Why not get more All-Pro honors further on in my career? But I think the main goal is to win a Super Bowl. At the end of the day, that’s what I play the game for is to win, so I think that’s the angle for me.”
The Broncos haven’t won a Super Bowl since the 2015 season. Last season, the team snapped an eight-year playoff drought but lost to the Buffalo Bills, 31-7, in the AFC wild-card round.
To take the next step, Denver doubled down on its defense, which ranked third in the league in points allowed (18.3) last season. In free agency, it signed linebacker Dre Greenlaw (three years, $31.5M) and safety Talanoa Hufanga (three years, $39M), who helped the San Francisco 49ers make the Super Bowl during the 2023 season.
“We added some key additions obviously in those guys,” Surtain said. “They’re going to come in and bring that winning atmosphere. They’ve been at Super Bowls. They know how to win at a high level. So, adding that to our team will only make our team greater.”
Surtain should continue to take care of business. During the 2024 season, the two-time first-team All-Pro tied for 10th in the league in interceptions (four in 16 games). He also allowed a career-best two touchdown catches, per Pro Football Reference.
Denver’s championship chances may hinge on quarterback Bo Nix continuing to build off an impressive rookie season. He finished third in 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year voting after tossing 29 TD passes in 17 starts.
If that happens, Surtain and Co. may surprise some people. In a column published in May, ESPN’s Ben Solak listed the Broncos and Minnesota Vikings as “Super Bowl dark horses.”
