AFC Contender May Trade Pro Bowler Amid Contract Change

AFC Contender Denver Broncos may trade Pro Bowler cornerback Patrick Surtain II amid contract change that keeps him through 2025. According to Over The Cap, the fifth-year option will pay him an estimated $19.802 million for the entire 2025 campaign. Simmons has become one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks in the league, helping the team afloat after a miserable season. This was an expected transaction since the Broncos were planning to keep him around for an extra year after uncertainty regarding his status.

Broncos General Manager George Paton kept his promise after confirming they would take the route with Surtain in February. It would be a risk to let go of this type of asset on the team’s defense since it would represent such as glaring hole at the cornerback position. However, they may take this risk in this year’s NFL draft despite trading for Zach Wilson. It’s been a busy week for Denver’s front office so they may still be searching for their franchise starter.

The Broncos still hold the No. 12 pick in the first round so this means they’ll be looking to move up. They may as well trade their best corner to continue to rebuild the Broncos’ offense. However, if no team other is interested in trading down then they could explore getting more draft capital. There have been rumors that the Patriots may be one of the few teams that is open to trading down but for a reasonable deal.

Surtain started in 49 of his 50 games with the team, since he was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was tabbed as a Pro Bowler for a second consecutive year in 2023. Will Surtain remain on the team for the future?

AFC Contender May Trade Pro Bowler Patrick Surtain II Amid Contract Change

He May Not Stick Around

Surtain has become one of the Broncos’ biggest priorities in their organization. This may be the case but his future looks uncertain since Denver still has to figure out how to pay him. It probably won’t happen without having to take some risks to release some of their key players. However, there has been speculation now that they may bring back All-Pro Justin Simmons.

The Broncos cut him originally to save $14 million salary cap, so his return may come on a cheaper deal. However, the team could decide to move on to start over in the safety position in this year’s draft. Nothing is off the cards and it’s not impossible to bring him back after his shocking release. It’s difficult to justify why they wouldn’t want to bring Simmons back.

He could return on defense for a year and return to the market next offseason. However, they could be prioritizing Surtain for a long-term extension that would give the Broncos secondary with nothing to worry about. The Broncos were hesitant to deal Surtain to move up in this year’s draft. This may be the route they may have to take to get the quarterback they want.

Potential Trade Fits for Surtain

A shocking move would be if the Kansas City Chiefs call the Broncos to attempt to trade for Surtain. The move to trade L’Jarius Sneed is still shocking to many in the league after not being able to pay him. The Chiefs are looking for their next Sneed replacement and they could fill that hole to replace him with another star cornerback. The Broncos would receive the No. 32 pick which would allow them to pick one best available prospect before the night is over.

However, the Chargers under Jim Harbaugh’s new era could make the move of the century to bring Surtain. They’ve already secured Kristian Fulton but he’s on a one-year deal so he’s a short-term option. This sounds like a dream scenario but the thought of Surtain teaming with Lamar Jackson could be dangerous for both ends. Marlon Humphrey is coming off a disappointing 2023 campaign so they need someone with reliability.

They could easily solve it by drafting someone but if they want to solidify their secondary for the next decade then they may risk it to get Surtain.