Pro Football Hall of Famer Champ Bailey had a lot of good things to say about Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtian II during an interview with Fox News Digital.

Surtain would become just the second Broncos player in franchise history to earn AP Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II is the 101 Awards' 2024 AFC Defensive Player of the Year, The Committee of 101 announced Wednesday. Surtain is the third Alabama alumnus to win the award, following Buffalo Bills linebacker Cornelius Bennett in 1988 and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas in 1991.

All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II sent a brief but friendly message to one of his former Denver Broncos teammates.

The Broncos may have been eliminated from the playoffs, but Patrick Surtain still got the chance to give Von Miller his flowers.

For Surtain’s dominant 2024 season, the Pro Football Writers of America have named him the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. He becomes the first Bronco to win the award, which is quite remarkable when you think of the defensive talent that has come through Denver like Von Miller and Champ Bailey.

DENVER- The Denver Broncos capped off one of their most successful seasons in recent years, making a playoff appearance for the first time since 2015, with a

Surtain is the third player in franchise history to be named the 101 Awards’ AFC Defensive Player of the Year, joining Lyle Alzado (1977) and Hall of Famer Randy Gradishar (1978).

While Surtain is the first Alabama alumnus to win the PFWA’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, former Crimson Tide running backs Shaun Alexander with the Seattle Seahawks in 2005 and Derrick Henry with the Tennessee Titans in 2020 were the PFWA NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph helped keep his team’s injury-riddled defense afloat throughout the season, but he wasn’t named a finalist. Joseph recorded a league-high nine interceptions to go along with 83 tackles and 12 pass breakups. His reputation as a “dirty” player may have cost him some votes, but that shouldn’t factor into the award.

After allowing the fewest receiving yards at his position when targeted by opposing quarterbacks, Patrick Surtain II is the first Denver Bronco to be named the Pro Football Writers of America Defensive Player of the Year.