Broncos CB Pat Surtain II Clears Air After ‘Gut-Wrenching’ Loss to Colts

The Denver Broncos lost their road opener against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. However, the Broncos appear to have avoided something greater when it comes to 2024 Defensive Player of the Year and cornerback Pat Surtain II.

Surtain, who allows Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph flexibility in coverage and blitz calls, suffered an injury in the second quarter of the contest.

He quickly returned and, afterward, cleared the air on his status going forward.

Broncos Avoid Near-Disaster With All-Pro CB Pat Surtain II Against Colts

The Broncos held their breath again, and this instance is arguably more significant than either of their first two instances this season. Surtain was helped off the field in the second quarter against the Colts and was “questionable” to return.

Staked to a 14-13 lead, Denver took over possession in the second quarter.

However, the scene was juxtaposed against trainers assisting Surtain, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, to the sidelines.

“[It’s] Something that I’m gonna take day-by-day, see how it goes,” Surtain told reporters after the game on September 14. “But it’s nothing crazy. So, I’m gonna just get treatment on it. It feels better, so…”

Surtain’s honesty extended to the Broncos’ performance on the field against the Colts.

Pat Surtain II Calls Out Broncos’ Miscues

The 25-year-old was the No. 9 overall pick of the 2021 Draft. Surtain, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro, signed a four-year, $96 million extension this offseason. His potentially having to miss any significant period of time would be a tremendous blow.

Surtain also called the loss “gut-wrenching,” with the Broncos giving the Colts two tries at the game-winning field goal.

The Broncos star said they repeatedly “shot ourselves in the foot.”

Surtain allowed 61.3% completion in 62 defensive targets for the Broncos in 2024, per Pro Football Reference. That was the best mark among the Broncos’ top CB trio of Surtain, Ja’quan McMillian, and Riley Moss.

Surtain’s presence typically forces targets elsewhere, often at Moss on the other perimeter, but also McMillian at nickelback.

The Colts attacked Surtain and racked up 473 yards at 7.1 yards per play.

Broncos Rookie DB Jahdae Barron Steps in for Award-Winning Teammate

Surtain has missed one game due to injury in four years, and that was in Week 18 against the Kansas City Chiefs as a rookie. The Broncos boast solid depth at cornerback. Still, they would be suffering a tremendous loss had Surtain been forced out of the game and future contests.

Rookie Jahdae Barron stepped in for Surtain and was the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 draft.

The Broncos also have 2024 fifth-round selection Kris Abrams-Draine. But neither he nor Barron is Surtain, though. They lack the starting experience the Broncos likely want.

Moreover, they would certainly be targets for opposing quarterbacks if Surtain were forced to miss time. Fortunately for the Broncos, they do not have to plan for Surtain’s absence, though they may want to better prepare themselves for the possibility that something does occur.

The free agent market still has some intriguing options that the Broncos could pair with Surtain.

Jared Goff just keeps putting himself in conversations with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady after Lions win over Bears

Look, I know what the comment sections are going to look like on this one. There will be stuff like "But he's never won a Super Bowl," or maybe there will be a new one like "Goff is only good because of John Morton." People tend to just write things off with Goff, and it'll just never make any sense.

The thing is that his big performance on Sunday against the guy who was not long ago supposed to be the only reason he's good was actually a historic performance. Goff led his team to 50 points for the fifth time in his career. That tied him with Peyton Manning (five) for the fourth-most by a quarterback since 1950. The only guys to do it more are Tom Brady (eight starts), Drew Brees (six), and Len Dawson (six).

Goff's 300-yard passing game, along with an 80 percent completion percentage and a 155 passer rating, also tied him with Manning, Brady, Kurt Warner, and Lamar Jackson for the second most such games by a quarterback in NFL history.

This game also marked a fourth straight game in which Goff completed at least 75% of his passes. Only one other quarterback has done that for four straight games, and that was Brady.

This isn't the first time Goff's name has been mentioned alongside Manning and Brady. Goff is one of just a handful of quarterbacks, including the two legends, to reach a championship game with two different teams. Goff is also on a very short list with Brady and Manning for players who have led two different franchises to 13-plus wins in a season.

At the end of the day, the Super Bowls and things do matter. Nobody here is trying to say that Goff is the best quarterback of all time. But it can't be ignored that he is consistently mentioned alongside the two best quarterbacks of all time. What will have these guys' names being mentioned together next?

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