The Denver Broncos’ 10-7 season saw them exceed many pundit expectations, and it’s a testament to the culture inside of the locker room and the standard set by the coaching staff and front office. The 2024 season has three Broncos in a prime position to win major awards.
Denver Broncos have three players as AP Awards finalists
The national perspective of the Denver Broncos is changing, at least to those who observe and actually pay attention. That’s a good thing and sheds light on the positive trajectory the team is on going forward.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton is a finalist for the Associated Press Coach of the Year award, alongside Detroit Lions’ Dan Campbell, Washington Commanders’ Dan Quinn, Kansas City Chiefs’ Andy Reid, and Minnesota Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell.
The job Payton has done to put the Broncos on the right track after the disastrous year of Nathaniel Hackett’s 2022 tenure is an incredible testament to his and the front office’s concerted effort to turn the team back into a playoff contender. After starting the season 0-2, the Broncos finished 10-7 and players have pointed to the culture Payton has helped create.
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Rookie quarterback Bo Nix is a finalist for the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award and is well deserving of the honor. He joins Commanders’ QB Jayden Daniels, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, and Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. as finalists for the award.
Nix finished the season with 29 passing touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns, and one receiving touchdown while throwing for 3700 yards and just 12 interceptions. He surpassed Baker Mayfield for 2nd in the NFL for most passing touchdowns by a rookie in NFL history, just two behind Los Angeles Chargers’ QB Justin Herbert, who had 31 his rookie season.
Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II is a finalist for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award for the tremendous season he put together, showcasing himself as a lockdown, shutdown corner in an era that’s difficult to do so considering all of the rules that favor offensive players and limit defenders. Surtain has already cleaned house with another Pro Bowl nod, First-Team All-Pro votes, NFLPA First-Team All-Pro votes, and was recently named the PFWA’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Right now, Surtain appears to be the odds-on favorite for the award and will be competing with Steelers’ pass rusher T.J. Watt, Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who was the NFL’s leading sack producer, Browns’ defensive end Myles Garrett, and Eagles’ inside linebacker Zach Baun.
Three Broncos being considered for these awards brings great recognition to the franchise and their future regardless of who wins and who doesn’t.