Former Alabama player, Florida native becomes highest-paid linebacker in NFL history

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (WTVY) – Denver Broncos owners Greg and Carrie Penner have consistently said there is a plan to get the franchise to where it needs to be. Carrie Penner spoke of making the Broncos “the best team to play for, work for and root for.”

A big part of that deal is currently a four-year, $96 million contract extension, with $77.5 million guaranteed, for former Alabama quarterback Pat Surtain II, which also kicks in during the 2026 season and is expected to keep him with the Broncos through the 2029 season.

This will make Surtain the highest-paid defenseman in league history.

Surtain is considered the team’s best player in his locker room and was Denver’s biggest unfinished business. He is set to play on the fifth year of his 2025 rookie contract option, which the Broncos signed earlier this year.

Surtain has missed just one game in his three-year career (the season finale of his rookie year) and rarely misses practice outside of when coaches excuse him for precautionary reasons. He has seven interceptions in three seasons and is tied for seventh in the NFL with 10 pass breakups in 2023.

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