Denver Broncos announce two end-of-season award winners
Jan 5, 2023, 10:36 AM
The Broncos’ only Pro Bowler is also their MVP.
Cornerback Pat Surtain won the voting for the Demaryius Thomas Team MVP award. Media that regularly covers the Broncos voted on the award in recent weeks.
Surtain’s work as a cover corner doesn’t register on the stat sheet, but leads to games like the one he had last Sunday in Kansas City. According to the data compiled by Pro Football Focus, Patrick Mahomes never threw in Surtain’s direction during the Chiefs’ 27-24 win at Arrowhead Stadium.
Per Pro Football Focus’ data, Surtain allowed just 24.5 receiving yards a game this season. He is also one of just two Broncos to start every game this season, along with safety Kareem Jackson.
Other players in the running were 2021 winner Justin Simmons and linebackers Josey Jewell and Alex Singleton. Unfortunately for Simmons, 3 of his 6 interceptions came in the last three games, after the voting commenced.
Simmons’ 6 picks are the most by a Bronco in a single season since Champ Bailey in 2006.
In the other award voted upon by Denver-area media, left guard Dalton Risner earned the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award. He is just the second offensive player to win the honor in the 16 years in which the award was given. Last year, Teddy Bridgewater took him the award in his only season as a Bronco.
Other Broncos in the running for that award were Simmons, Surtain, Singleton and Mike Purcell. Simmons is the only three-time winner of the award (2017, 2019, 2020).
***
