Denver Broncos prima cornerback Pat Surtain II was named arsenic 1 of the finalists for AP Defensive Player of the Year for the 2024 season.
Surtain, who wrapped up his 4th play successful the NFL, enactment up his champion twelvemonth yet. He had 4 interceptions, 45 tackles and 11 walk breakups. He returned the interceptions for 132 yards, which included his 100-yard interception instrumentality for a touchdown. It was a league-leading stat.
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The young Broncos subordinate caught the attraction of chap Broncos large Champ Bailey adjacent earlier helium came into the league. Bailey, who spoke to Fox News Digital connected behalf of Trulieve, said helium saw a small spot of himself successful Surtain but thinks Surtain is amended setup for the pros.
"A small bit. I deliberation he’s acold up of maine arsenic acold arsenic his demeanor, his professionalism, his technique," helium said. "When helium came into the league, you could archer helium was going to beryllium bully close away. It was conscionable more, ‘OK, tin helium prolong his success? Can helium enactment healthy?’
"Those are the things that are truly chartless to an NFL player’s vocation – the wellness broadside of it, which is huge. And he’s been capable to bash that and play consistently. I ever knew if helium strapped them up, he’s going to beryllium 1 of the champion nary substance what due to the fact that of however helium approaches the game."
Bailey has precocious hopes for Surtain’s career.
"He looks similar a 10-year vet playing similar a feline successful his prime," helium said. "The sky’s the bounds for him. I told radical erstwhile helium was drafted, he’s connected a Hall of Fame path. It’s each astir his bully health. If helium stays healthy, helium volition beryllium a Hall of Famer and, hopefully, he’ll beryllium Defensive Player of the Year this year. Definitely pulling for that."
The Defensive Player of the Year nominees database is stacked.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, Cleveland Browns antiaircraft extremity Myles Garrett, Cincinnati Bengals antiaircraft extremity Trey Hendrickson and Pittsburgh Steelers walk rusher T.J. Watt were besides named arsenic finalists.
Surtain earned his 3rd Pro Bowl enactment and his 2nd First-Team All-Pro enactment this season.
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