Latest news with #DenverBroncos
USA Today
18 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Sauce Gardner's contract makes Pat Surtain look like an insane bargain for Broncos
When the Denver Broncos gave cornerback Pat Surtain a massive four-year, $96 million contract extension last September, it made him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history. That was short-lived. Not long after PS2 signed a deal that averaged $24 million per season, Jalen Ramsey got a contract that averaged $24.1M. Later, Jaycee Horn got $25M. Then Derek Stingley took the market to another level with $30M. The latest big cornerback extension has gone to Sauce Gardner of the New York Jets. He'll get $120.4 million over four years, an average of $30.1M, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. So, just ten months after becoming the highest-paid ever at his position, Surtain now ranks fifth among cornerbacks in terms of average salary. His contract looks like a remarkable bargain for the Broncos. Highest-paid NFL cornerbacks (APY) Surtain, who won the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024, is widely considered the best cornerback in the league. If the CB market continues trending this way, Denver might have to revisit PS2's contract well before it's set to expire in 2030. Less than a year after getting a massive extension, Surtain now appears to be underpaid. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II voted NFL's top cornerback by AP
FILE - Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) returns interception during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) Patrick Surtain II became only the seventh cornerback to win the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, doing so last season. His shutdown season also helped him earn the top cornerback spot in voting by a panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers who ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Advertisement Surtain received five first-place votes and three seconds. Sauce Gardner got two first-place votes, finishing second. Cooper DeJean got the other first-place vote, appearing on only one of eight ballots. Derek Stingley Jr. finished third, Trent McDuffie was fourth and DeJean placed fifth. Jaylon Johnson, Marlon Humphrey, Charvarius Ward and DJ Reed also received votes. 1. PATRICK SURTAIN II, Denver Broncos Surtain had an outstanding season, allowing just 37 receptions and recording four interceptions to earn All-Pro honors. Opposing quarterbacks had a 61.1 passer rating when targeting Surtain, who became just the second Broncos player to win the AP Defensive Player of the Year award. Advertisement He received three second-place votes along with the five firsts. 2. SAUCE GARDNER, New York Jets After earning All-Pro honors his first two seasons in the NFL, Gardner had a down year by his standards. Still, he appeared on seven ballots to finish behind Surtain. Gardner has forced a league-high 46 incompletions and allowed a league-low 0.60 yards per cover snap since his rookie season. 3. DEREK STINGLEY JR., Houston Texans Stingley was a first-time All-Pro last season, emerging as one of the NFL's best cover cornerbacks. Selected one spot ahead of Gardner at No. 3 overall in the 2022 draft, Stingley had a breakout season last year. He had five interceptions and gave up 40 catches for 382 yards and four TDs. Advertisement Stingley got three second-place votes and five fourths. 4. TRENT MCDUFFIE, Kansas City Chiefs McDuffie earned All-Pro honors as a slot cornerback in 2023 and was second-team All-Pro after moving back outside last season. While the Chiefs don't use McDuffie to shadow opposing receivers, he is an elite cover guy. McDuffie allowed 54 catches for 545 yards and four TDs in 2024. He received one second-place vote, two thirds, one fourth and four fifth. 5. COOPER DEJEAN, Philadelphia Eagles DeJean's first career interception was a pick-6 against Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, helping the Eagles dominate the Chiefs in a 40-22 victory. A second-round pick in 2024, DeJean was a super slot cornerback for Philadelphia. He didn't allow a TD on 97 targets. ___ AP NFL:
USA Today
21 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Broncos' projected starting defense before training camp
Denver Broncos rookies are set to report for training camp on Wednesday, followed by the arrival of veterans on July 22 and the start of camp on July 25. With training camp now less than two weeks away, it's a good time to review the state of the roster. We'll get to the projected starting offense next week, but this week, the focus is on Vance Joseph's side of the ball. Denver's defense made three big additions this offseason by signing linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga during free agency before later using a first-round draft pick to select cornerback Jahdae Barron. Following those additions, here's our quick projection of the starting defense going into training camp. Note that this is just a projection, not an official depth chart from the team. The Broncos won't won't be required to release a depth chart until preseason begins in August. Broncos starting defense (and backups) You'll notice that the projected "starting" lineup includes 12 players because the Broncos will spend plenty of time in a nickel package, so a third cornerback is included above. It remains to be seen if Barron will end up playing primarily in the slot or as an outside cornerback (it's also possible he could get equal playing time at both spots). Denver's defense ranked third in points allowed per game (18.3), seventh in takeaways (25) and first in sacks (63) last season. After making several key additions this spring, the Broncos figure to have an even better unit in 2025. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Forbes
a day ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Head Coach Teddy Bridgewater Suspended By Miami Northwestern For FHSAA Violations
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 16: Teddy Bridgewater #10 of the Detroit Lions runs off the field ... More during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at Ford Field on December 16, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by) Former NFL pro bowl quarterback-turned-high school football head coach Teddy Bridgewater revealed that he was suspended by his high school employer and alma mater Miami Northwestern this past weekend for providing his players 'impermissible benefits.' Bridgewater revealed the suspension last Sunday through a Facebook post where he further pledged allegiance to Miami Northwestern despite the mandated punishment from the program. 'The suspension came from MNW, and it's impossible to suspend someone who doesn't work for you,' Bridgewater said in his weekend Facebook post. "So, if I'm suspended from MNW, I'm free to go to another school of my choice, but I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE. 'And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem.' Bridgewater's reported suspension was linked to a previous Facebook post that the Miami native showcased early this month on July 7. The online document revealed that Bridgewater had been covering $700 per week Uber rides, $2,200 per week pre-game meals and $1,300 per week athletic recovery services for his players this past season. Bridgewater pleaded for the program's fanbase to donate and cover for expenses this upcoming season, so he wouldn't once again have to cover the cost from his pocket. The online post reportedly drew the ire of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) who had previously given other state high schools lengthy and expensive punishments for similar violations. Several players last fall from The First Academy in Orlando were investigated and found to have received 'impermissible benefits' such as a free Uber ride. FHSAA suspended First Academy's head football coach Jeff Conaway, hit the private institution's football program with a two-year postseason ban and fined the school $36,000 fine for its violations. It's still unknown if Miami Northwestern will be given similar consequences alongside its self-imposed suspension of Bridgewater. If the program is banned from postseason play, Miami Northwestern won't be given the chance to defend its first football state title in school history. Last season, they steamrolled previously unbeaten Jacksonville Raines 41-0 to win the Florida Class 3A state title. Led by Bridgewater, the team finished 2024 with a 12-2 record and outscored its playoff opponents 262-12 thanks to an average of 40 points per matchup and four postseason shutouts. After winning the title, the 10-year veteran was signed out of retirement by the Detroit Lions to serve as the team's emergency backup quarterback for its 2025 NFL playoff run.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Broncos starting quarterback suspended from current high school job
Former Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has found himself on the wrong side of the news headlines as it was reported on Monday that he has been suspended from his job as a high school head football coach. Bridgewater is the current head coach at Miami Northwestern (FL) High School and is preparing to enter his second season in that role. Last year, he went 12-2 before leading his team to the FHSAA Class 3A state championship. Following the season, he was brought back to the roster of the Detroit Lions for the team's playoff run. Advertisement The suspension stems from Bridgewater paying for the player's Uber rides out of his own pocket, something he admitted himself in a post on Facebook. That opened an investigation, and it was determined that he provided impermissible benefits. It's unclear how long the suspension will last, but according to another post made by Bridgewater, he clearly disagrees with the decision. Bridgewater spent just one season in Denver, beating out Drew Lock for the starting job in 2021. He went 7-7 as the team's starter and threw for 3,052 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He was injured and suffered a concussion on this play late in the season against the Cincinnati Bengals and never played another down as the Broncos' quarterback. Advertisement That offseason, the team decided to go in a different direction, trading for Russell Wilson to pair with new head coach Nathaniel Hackett. MORE BRONCOS CONTENT Two of the best defensive players in Broncos history are still searching for a job Broncos draft pick still looking for a job deserves an invite to training camp Broncos need young player to step up and knock this veteran off the 53-man roster Broncos have two major items to cross off checklist before start of training camp Broncos predicted to sign 31-TD running back to massive free-agent deal in 2026
