Denver Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain is considered the betting favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, potentially putting him on the verge of NFL history.
Only five cornerbacks have ever won DPOY, and Surtain has a strong case to join them.
“It’s always difficult because there are so many great candidates,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said last Friday. “Number One, I was a voter for these awards once. Somebody reached out — I don’t know if you had to be — I don’t know how it worked, but the year I was out [of coaching] and I spent a lot of time… When it’s close, it’s a little shinier for the team that’s winning.
“When you look at the receivers he’s defended and the impact he’s had for us, and how we’ve played defensively and all those other things, it’s an easy case to make. Sometimes it’s a more difficult case to make, but certainly he’s deserving of that type of award. He’s that good.”
.@Broncos @PatSurtainll does it all! He deters QB’s from going to his direction; he lives to Man you Up and Lock you Down; and he cuts the field off in half. Rare Skills and is going to get Mega-Votes for DPOY. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/crksANUHg1
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) January 9, 2025
Surtain, 24, ranks first in yards allowed (306) and just about every other major coverage stat among qualified cornerbacks this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
The stats speak for themselves.
🔒⬇️🎮 pic.twitter.com/IANKXPEX7D
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 7, 2025
It would be a big upset if Surtain does not win the award this season. DPOY will be announced during “NFL Honors” before the Super Bowl in February.
