Broncos pay record-breaking money to center Patrick Mahomes: Contract details, ratings

The Denver Broncos have secured their secondary for years to come by signing one of the sport’s top defensive backs to the most lucrative contract for a cornerback…ever. In Denver, defense leads offense, or at least that will be the case during Bo Nix’s rookie year. As talented as the young Oregon product may be, there are bound to be some bumps in the road.

The benefit of having a quarterback on a rookie contract — even if they’re paying Russell Wilson $38 million not to play for them — is that the Broncos can spread the wealth elsewhere. Patrick Surtain II played his part and earned a bag, and then some.

The terms of Surtain II’s contract, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, are gaudy. Surtain II will earn $96 million on a four-year extension. That would give him $77.5 million guaranteed. That’s more than 80 percent of his deal.

Surtain II is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and former All-Pro. He has seven interceptions in three seasons and would be more of a ballhawk if opposing teams bothered to throw to him. The Broncos play in the same division as Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, so secondary talent is key. Knowing they have one of the best cornerbacks in the game, George Paton acted quickly.

I’m not usually a fan of Paton, who traded way too much for Wilson early on and is counting on Payton to save the franchise. He’s giving way too much power to the wrong people. However, Surtain II is a good guy. He’ll be around for years to come and is just now entering his prime. Again, he’s already made two Pro Bowls and an All-Pro at just 24 years old.

Surtain II also had to have a drawn-out contract negotiation next offseason as his rookie deal neared its end. By avoiding that drama, Paton (assuming he sticks around after this season) can focus on adding to Denver’s young core rather than engaging in a feud or back-and-forth with players currently on the roster.

As for Nix’s part in all this, he’s the new face of the franchise, along with Payton. But quarterbacks rarely win on their own, unless your name is Mahomes, Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen. With a solid defense behind him, Nix doesn’t have to be perfect, especially as he learns the ropes.