With Justin Simmons no longer in the fold, Patrick Surtain is now the focus of the Broncos’ secondary. He is also a top priority for the team financially, as he is eligible for an extension.

It comes as no surprise that Denver exercised Surtain’s 2025 fifth-year option. This puts him on track to earn $19.8MM next year, but a long-term deal will likely come at a higher price. The Broncos are keen on extending his contract, possibly making him one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the league. Surtain has expressed his interest in staying with the team.

“Yeah, definitely,” said the 24-year-old regarding a potential long-term agreement with the Broncos (via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette). “When you see those [Ring of Fame] players on the wall and see what they’ve done, it just gives you great inspiration and you look forward to those things to fulfill. Obviously, I want to be a Bronco, so I definitely want to see my name up in the rafters.”

Surtain’s name has been mentioned in trade talks, but the Broncos have been firm in their stance. They have demanded a pair of first-round picks as a starting point, and despite interest from three teams before the trade deadline, no deal materialized. Leading up to the draft, there were talks of Surtain being part of a trade-up plan for Denver. However, the Broncos ultimately held onto their pick and selected Bo Nix at No. 12.

When asked about the possibility of being traded before the draft, Surtain expressed his confidence in staying put. With at least two more years with the Broncos ahead, attention is now on extension negotiations. After a strong rookie season with four interceptions and a first-team All-Pro selection in his second year, Surtain’s performance in 2023 earned him another Pro Bowl nod.

The cornerback market features players like Jaire Alexander, Denzel Ward, and Jalen Ramsey with deals averaging $20MM or more. Surtain will likely aim to reach that level, especially with the potential for salary cap increases pushing him toward the top of the position. With Nix on a rookie contract and limited big-money commitments on defense, the Broncos could be in a good position to invest heavily in Surtain. The outcome of contract negotiations this summer will be a key storyline to monitor.