Patrick Surtain II Wins 2024-25 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award over Garrett

Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II has won the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award.

Surtain defeated four finalists: Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson and Pittsburgh Steelers edge-rusher T.J. Watt.

Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press revealed the voting results. Surtain's 26 first-place votes were two more than any other candidate combined (24).

The award was announce during the annual NFL Honors event on Thursday in New Orleans, which will play host to Sunday's Super Bowl.

Surtain started 16 games for the Broncos, who allowed the third-fewest points per game (18.3 PPG). He picked off four passes, returning them for 132 yards and one touchdown.

In addition, Surtain amassed 11 passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also had 45 tackles (34 solo).

Per Pro Football Reference, opposing quarterbacks only completed 38 passes for 326 yards (8.6 yards per completion) for a measly 58.9 passer rating in Surtain's coverage.

Surtain served as the backbone of a team that won 10 games and made the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

In four years, the former Alabama star has made three Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors twice. Simply put, Surtain has been sensational ever since Denver selected him with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

And now Surtain has been recognized for his efforts with his first-ever (and well-deserved) Defensive Player of the Year award.