This could be the best predictor of Patrick Surtain II bringing home the A.P. Defensive Player of the Year award.

The team went 10-7 and secured the No. 7 seed in the AFC, riding Nix's command of the offense and an elite defense. Anchored by two-time All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II, the Broncos’ defense was one of the league’s best, ranking third in points allowed per game (18.3).

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

According to the PFWA, he is the first player in Broncos’ franchise history to obtain the accolade. I thought that was interesting considering Von Miller’s top-tier play for D

Surtain, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was also honored as a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press for the second time in his career. On Monday, he was one of four Bronco players, including outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, punt returner Marvin Mims Jr. and right guard Quinn Meinerz, to be named to the PFWA’s All-NFL team.

The reaction was overwhelming on social media almost immediately, though one of the most prominent voices to comment belonged to Denver Broncos star cornerback Patrick Surtain II. "C'mon man, what we supposed to do when he sliding?" Surtain posted .

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.

The Denver Broncos' Pat Surtain earned the Pro Football Writers of America's Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2024 regular season.