Pat Surtain II, who was the No. 9 pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. This is why he’s in his second year at the heart of the Denver Broncos’ defensive excellence. As a former cornerback, Surtain is praised for his high level of consistency and overall skill. He’s never played fewer than 902 snaps in a full season while logging over 1,100 snaps in each of his first two seasons. The star cornerback hurt his left pectoral muscle right before halftime. That’s exactly what happened during the Broncos’ incredible, comeback-building win against the Dallas Cowboys. We expect this injury to sideline him for several games. His absence certainly raises questions about what his absence would mean for the team’s overall defensive strategy.
Surtain’s performance this season has been exceptional. Prior to his injury, he had already compiled 457 defensive snaps, proving that Jewell was an important piece to the Broncos complicated defensive schemes. His stats are a testament to his unique talent in making opposing offenses look silly. He’s given up the second least passing yards of any cornerback with 34 or more targets and is one of just four cornerbacks to be targeted at least 34 times without giving up a touchdown. Regardless, his absence will certainly be felt in the areas of the team’s overall defensive potency going forward.
The Defensive Backbone
Pat Surtain II is a rare player on the field, in the sense that he isn’t merely a defensive back. He is the linchpin of a Broncos defense that is currently on pace to break the record for total team sacks in one season. His presence enables the team to make the type of advanced, fluid defensive strategies that are predicated on heavy matchups and rotations. With Surtain out, Broncos head coach Sean Payton said the team needs to change its overall game plan.
“Especially when a large part of your plan is dealing with rotation and matchups. … Then all of a sudden that one element goes away, it can be a little bit disruptive.” – Sean Payton
The game-wrecker Payton is talking about is Surtain, and it’s because of his special talent at being able to anchor the secondary. His absence forces the staff to make them readjust period. This relative shift could leave their coverage more vulnerable and increase the frequency and likelihood of explosive plays from enemy offenses. Additionally, Vance Joseph, the team’s defensive coordinator, pointed to the importance of Surtain in setting coverage schemes pre-snap.
“Everything we do, how we decide when and how to move between our coverages, is based on Pat,” – Vance Joseph
This dependence on Surtain puts a defender’s den of the devil in a precarious position known for its versatility and assertive ferocity. The Broncos are facing a long season if he is not able to go. His absence will sap the sharpness that’s been the hallmark of their play thus far.
Adjusting Defensive Strategies
The injury to Surtain has a far greater effect than just personal performance. The Broncos’ entire defensive game plan, from on-field adjustments to scheme, will have to be recalibrated with this loss. With Surtain out, teams are going to look the other way. They’ll focus their efforts elsewhere on the secondary, knowing they can’t ever again expect what Surtain offered with his elite coverage skills.
As Vance Joseph explained, Surtain is going to be made a focus by the opposing offense. His elite ability to shadow the opposing team’s main receivers essentially makes him the number one target in opposing teams’ game plans. Without him, offenses can be a lot more successful in their all-around gameplan.
“And he is always a priority for offenses … that’s a lot of focus from both sides.” – Vance Joseph
The Broncos should continue to rely on their cornerback depth. Losing a player of Surtain’s caliber is a mountain to climb. The entire coaching staff needs to change their approach to cover up his absence. They need to do the impossible task of maximizing the strengths of their few remaining players. This can mean changing players around to new positions or moving younger or less developed players into starting roles.
The Broader Implications
Surtain’s absence could have long-term implications for the Broncos’ season. His constant effort has been a huge part of building the identity of this team defensively. Over the past two seasons, he recorded 27 tackles and six passes defensed despite rarely being targeted by opposing quarterbacks. This says a lot about his impact on the field and how much offenses try to completely steer clear of him.
The Broncos run a swarming, aggressive defensive scheme that has played a huge part in their success this year. Without Surtain on the field, they will need to dial back their intensity. Such a shift might strain their central game plan and play-to-win statistics. This change might lead to more high-scoring affairs with them. It will create an inordinate burden on the offense to overcome any gaps in the defense.
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