Denver Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain II was named as one of the finalists for AP Defensive Player of the Year for the 2024 season.
Surtain, who completed his fourth season in the NFL, posted his best year yet. He had four interceptions, 45 tackles and 11 pass breakups. He returned interceptions for 132 yards, including his interception return 100 yards for a touchdown. It was a leading statistic.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II, #2, gestures after a play in the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on December 15, 2024. (Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn images)
The young Broncos player caught the eye of fellow Broncos great Champ Bailey even before he entered the league. Bailey, who spoke to Fox News Digital on behalf of Trulievesaid he saw a bit of himself in Surtain, but thinks Surtain is a better setup for the pros.
“A little bit. I think he’s way ahead of me in terms of his behavior, his professionalism and his technique,” he said. “When he came into the league, you could tell right away that he was going to be good. It was just more, ‘Okay, can he sustain his success? Can he stay healthy?’
“Those are the things that are really unknown in an NFL player’s career – the health side of it, which is huge. And he’s been able to do that and play consistently. I always knew that if he tied them up, he would become one. of the best, no matter what, because of the way he approaches the game.”
Bailey has high hopes for Surtain’s career.
Champ Bailey worked with Truelieve. (Truelieve)
“He looks like a 10-year vet playing like a man in his prime,” he said. “The sky’s the limit for him. When he got drafted, I told people he’s on the path to the Hall of Fame. It’s all about his good health. If he stays healthy, he’ll be a Hall of Famer and hopefully he will.” To become Defensive Player of the Year this year, that’s what I’m definitely going for.”
The list of nominees for Defensive Player of the Year is stacked.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson and Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher TJ Watt were also named as finalists.
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Surtain earned his third Pro Bowl selection and his second First-Team All-Pro selection this season.
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