Broncos Give Surtain II A Salary Bump To Help Him Keep Up With Top-Paid Corners

The Denver Broncos gave cornerback Pat Surtain II a small raise of $5 million for 2026, according to a report from Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. The news was reported by Surtain’s agent, Tory Dandy, who told multiple reporters that the cornerback has agreed to an adjusted contract with the team. 

In addition to the extra $5 million this year, Surtain will get another $5 million in 2027 if he's named an All-Pro or Pro Bowler at the end of the season. Those feats are well within reach for Surtain, who has been a two-time first team All-Pro and a four-time Pro bowler in just five seasons in the league. 

The cornerback  signed a four-year $96 million deal extension in 2020 that kicks in this season. That deal made him the highest-paid corner in the NFL at the time, but the market has been adjusted a couple of times, so he slipped in the rankings when it comes to his salary status at his position.

This move is about keeping Surtain happy. It helps him keep pace with other top-paid corners, and it will doubtless lead to new talks for a contract extension at some point soon.

Surtain is well worth the money. He was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, and he also played well last year. Surtain is he linchpin of the Broncos ronco secondary, and he's considered a shut-down corner, so the Broncos frequently use him in that capacity. Surtain also has a high value to the Denver defense a whole. 

The Broncos know they can leave him on an island in coverage and not have to worry about his man getting free for a big play. Surtain also proved his value in a different way last year as he missed multiple games with a separated shoulder, and while the Denver defense continue to play well it wasn't the same without Surtain.

The rest of the secondary has some interesting questions coming into OTAs, and training camp. Riley Moss is the starter opposite Surtain, so he gets picked on frequently. Ja’Quan McMillian is another corner who established himself as a playmaker last year, and cornerback Jahdae Barron was Denver’s number one draft choice, although he struggled at times last year.

The rest of the secondary features safety Talanoa Hufanga, who was signed as a free agent and played extremely well. Brandon Jones is the other safety, but there are several players vying for depth positions who will also be seeing action on special teams. The Broncos spent much of their offseason locking up key players, and this move with Surtain represents a complementary move to that approach.