Three-time Pro Bowler and 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II said he believes the Denver Broncos can compete for a Super Bowl in 2025.
The Broncos are coming off their first playoff appearance since their 2015 Super Bowl win, and Surtain sees it as a sign of things to come.
Denver Broncos on the Right Track
Head coach Sean Payton has certainly raised some eyebrows since joining the Broncos ahead of the 2023 season. Payton immediately sparked controversy by claiming the previous coaching staff had done “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL.” He later apologized for the comments, but a tone had been set.
After a rough start to his first season, which included a humiliating 70-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins, Payton turned things around and finished 8-9. The Broncos then made another bold move by cutting veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, swallowing a massive $85 million dead cap hit. Of that, $32 million will count against the team’s 2025 cap, making it the NFL’s largest dead cap hit that year, despite Wilson being a full season removed from the team.
The team followed that up with another controversial decision, drafting quarterback Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Nix was the sixth quarterback selected, with many expecting him to go in the second round.
Nix proved to be a great value pick, leading the team to the postseason with a 10-7 record. Denver’s stellar defense was the backbone of its success, while Nix made the most of an underwhelming receiving corps and a lackluster run game. The Broncos’ 2024 season has created optimism in Denver, and their star cornerback is feeling confident.
Patrick Surtain II ‘Very Optimistic’ About Super Bowl Chances
In an exclusive interview with RG, Surtain said he believes the Broncos can go all the way in 2025. When asked directly if the team could compete for the Super Bowl next season, he responded, “Oh, for sure.”
“I think any team is a contender. I feel like that’s the topic that some people look at and say, ‘Are the Broncos Super Bowl contenders?’ I feel like we are contenders in our own right. I feel like we are building success, and I think we are headed in the right direction for sure.”
“Obviously, you just don’t wake up and say like, ‘Okay, I want to be in the Super Bowl,’” he continued. “Obviously, there’s work to put in before that. I think we have a great chance for sure. We’re building up a team to reach — obviously in the playoffs — but even further. Like I said, we built this team up for the right reasons to reach that step. So we’ll see. But I’m very optimistic about our future in reaching the Super Bowl.”
There is certainly reason for optimism in Denver. The team has made huge strides since Payton took over. If the Broncos draft well in April, there’s no reason to believe they couldn’t be a real force during the season and into the playoffs.