Patrick Surtain II was asked about A.J. Brown’s comments on Tuesday.
Although Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II’s 2023 body of work thus far hasn’t been as stellar as his 2022 All-Pro campaign, he’s still an elite player. Week in and week out, the NFL takes notice of Surtain, especially the opponents the Broncos draw on the schedule.
But even Denver’s non-opponents can’t help but recognize Surtain’s rare ability. Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro wideout A.J. Brown spoke to Surtain’s growing NFL profile during an appearance on FS1‘s show Speak, naming the Broncos’ starter the best in the business.
“I think the best cornerback in the game right now is Pat Surtain,” Brown said on Monday. “I like his game so much.”
Surtain took to the podium on Tuesday, as the Broncos prepare to take on the Buffalo Bills this week. It didn’t take long for Surtain to share his thoughts on Brown’s compliment.
“It means a lot coming from a player like him—a high-caliber player,” Surtain said of Brown. “But I don’t try to look too much into it because I tell myself this every time. I’ve still got a lot to prove in my game, but when you get praise like that from players that play the game, it means a lot, for sure.
Brown, a former first-round draft pick, has blossomed in Philadelphia. He’s earned two consecutive Pro Bowl nods and a second-team All-Pro selection last year, and having already eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark this season, he’s bound to garner accolades again.
Surtain has never gone up against Brown. The Broncos won’t see the Eagles this year, so the first Surtain vs. Brown matchup might not come until the AFC West draws the NFC East on the schedule in 2025.
Surtain has started all eight games for the Broncos thus far as the team’s top corner, totaling eight pass break-ups and an interception, to go along with 30 tackles (28 solo). It’s hard to garner individual attention on a team that is collectively struggling, as the Broncos have for most of this season.
It’s part of what made Surtain’s first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections last year so impressive. He battled hard each and every week on a five-win team.
Throw in Week 3’s 70-burger the Broncos relinquished to a Miami Dolphins team that scored at will, and the limelight seemed to further dim around Surtain’s name. But as the Broncos have battled back, winning the last two games, including a streak-snapping victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, it seems the bloom hasn’t completely faded from the Surtain rose.
The Broncos still have nine games to play, so Surtain has plenty of time to continue building his 2023 resume. He’s very deserving of the praise he gets, and teams honor him every week by throwing away from him, but in order to earn Pro Bowl/All-Pro accolades again, he’ll need to improve his ball production and start showing up on the weekly highlight reels across NFL media.
As Vance Joseph’s defense continues to gel and regain its footing, I like Surtain’s chances. But it won’t be easy, with matchups against upper-echelon quarterbacks like Josh Allen (this week), Justin Herbert (twice), Deshaun Watson, Jared Goff, and up-and-comer C.J. Stroud on deck down the stretch.
