In June, the Broncos gave Patrick Surtain a $5MM raise for 2026. The star cornerback’s deal contained an option bonus due just before the start of the regular season, but clarity has emerged on how Denver handled it.
Surtain’s option was declined, per Over the Cap. As a result of the move, Denver will not spread out the cap charges associated with the contract mechanism over two seasons. Instead, Surtain’s cap charge for 2026 rose by $9.6MM to $23.58MM.
That figure sits in a tie for second in terms of Broncos cap hits this season, and it leads the way on the team for defensive players. On the other hand, Denver’s decision to decline the option lowered Surtain’s cap charges from 2027-29. Those now range in value from $26.08MM to $28.2MM. The 2024 Defensive Player of the Year does not have any guaranteed salaries in future seasons as things stand, although $10MM of his 2027 base pay is set to vest in March.
Two years ago, team and player agreed to what was then the NFL’s most lucrative cornerback contract. The position’s market has surged since, with six of its members now attached to an average annual value of $30MM or more. Surtain landing a short-term pay increase this summer came as no surprise as a result, and the four-time Pro Bowler will be counted on to remain a foundational figure for Denver. The rest of the team’s CB depth chart is of course worth monitoring as the year progresses.
Plenty of unanswered questions remain beyond this season in terms of which cornerbacks will be in the fold aside from Surtain. Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian are both pending free agents, while it is unclear where Jahdae Barron will be used in the event one (perhaps both) depart after 2026. To little surprise, trade interest has been shown recently. Denver’s deep secondary is still intact, though, and Surtain will continue to lead the unit for the foreseeable future.
This content was brought to you by: Pro Football Rumors
