Broncos defender has 'some work to do' after down year

The 2023 season was a disappointing one for the Denver Broncos. They failed to make the playoffs for the eighth straight year while finishing with their seventh straight losing season.

When teams have down years, it often means their players do, too. That was exactly the case for cornerback Patrick Surtain II.

The 24-year-old registered just one interception along with 69 tackles and 12 passes defensed in 2023. He's looking to turn things back around this season.

"I know I've got some work to do," Surtain said on "The Jim Rome Show." "Last year wasn't my best year. I know that as a player and as my standard, that wasn't a year I hold myself to. Obviously, I made the Pro Bowl, which is a pretty big accomplishment, but I think things that matter is All-Pros for sure, and that's what people are going to look at at the end of the day."

Surtain was named to his second straight Pro Bowl last season, but he knows he took a bit of a step back after amassing 118 tackles, one forced fumble, six interceptions, 24 passes defensed and one touchdown in his first two years.

That's why the former No. 9 overall pick doesn't feel snubbed from landing on his second consecutive All-Pro team.

"I wouldn't necessarily say I got snubbed," Surtain added. "I just think there's a point in time where you've got to ask yourself, was it your standard that you wanted to put out there? I don't think it was the year I wanted to have as far as the standard I set for myself."

While Surtain has lived up to the expectations of being a top-10 pick, he must help the Broncos defense return to being a feared unit in 2024.

Last season, Denver allowed the fourth-most total yards per game (370.8) and sixth-most points per game (24.3) in the league.

The Broncos also have a lot of questions on offense with rookie quarterback Bo Nix likely taking over at some point.

Surtain can be the team's most dependable defender as he looks to return to his All-Pro level.