Pat Surtain II Wins NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award

Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II has been awarded the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for 2024, becoming the first cornerback to receive the honor since Stephon Gilmore in 2019. Surtain's performance was pivotal in the Broncos' successful season, culminating in a playoff appearance, as he recorded 45 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 pass breakups. His defensive skills have been recognized despite not always being reflected in traditional statistics, as opposing teams often avoided targeting him. Surtain's achievement marks him as only the second Broncos player to win this award, following Randy Gradishar in 1978. The NFL Honors event, where the award was announced, also saw Surtain receiving 49 out of 50 first-place votes for the All-Pro team. This accolade solidifies his reputation as a top shutdown cornerback in the league.