Surtain II a big fan of Payton
Broncos CB discussed his new head coach, his new foundation and more on Monday
Pat Surtain II has plenty of reasons to wonder about the stability of the organization that drafted him.
Instead, the All Pro cornerback says he’s excited about the Broncos’ future under new head coach Sean Payton.
The 22-year-old cornerback has established himself as one of the best players at his position over his first two seasons since general manager George Paton drafted him No. 9 overall in 2021. But he’s also going to play for his third head coach in as many seasons. What does he make of that? “Sean Payton, I believe, is a great hire and I can’t wait to get to work with him,” Surtain said at his Pat Surtain II Foundation launch event in Denver on Monday evening. “I think he’ll provide the team with what’s necessary, which is a winning culture in the organization. His resume speaks for itself. He’s a guy that can give you Super Bowls, can give you that winning attitude, the leadership qualities that you look for in a head coach.
“I’m really excited.”
Payton, of course, is an offensive-oriented head coach, but Surtain is the kind of cornerstone player to build around.
He swept first-team All-pro honors in his second season and was named a Pro Bowl Games starter for the AFC. In the new Pro Bowl setup, he logged a picksix during the flag football game and also did things like catch a pass thrown by Matt Leinart while ziplining through Las Vegas.
“The Pro Bowl was an awesome experience, just to be around such a great group of guys and competing at a high level and also having fun with it,” Surtain said.
Under Payton, the Broncos are likely in for substantial changes this offseason, but the hope is that, overall, his arrival marks the beginning of a period that comes with not only wins but also a sense of organizational continuity.
“We understand our goals and our destiny,” Surtain said. “Obviously we can’t control what happens upstairs with coaches, but the main thing is to focus on getting better this offseason. Focus on that main goal that we’re working toward and want to achieve. I feel like that’s the main thing going on with the team.
“We know these past couple of years we didn’t get to that next step, which is the playoffs, but that’s what we’re looking forward to is getting to that next step.”
High praise for young coach: Among the coaches from Denver’s 2022 staff still in consideration to return with the Broncos under Payton in 2023 is Surtain’s position coach, Christian Parker. Parker, 31, coached Denver’s defensive backs in 2021 under Vic Fangio and last year under Nathaniel Hackett. That, of course, mirrors Surtain’s time in the organization, too.
“CP is a young, energetic coach. He provides a lot,” Surtain said. “He’s got the football smarts that you look for in a coach. He’s one of the best doing it in the game. When you see somebody like that step in at such a young age and at such a critical position, it means a lot. Throughout
the years, I’ve learned a lot from CP and his aspect of the game, just seeing what he’s seeing.”
Staff updates: Broncos offensive coordinator Justin Outten is heading to Tennessee to be the franchise’s run game coordinator, a source confirmed Tuesday to The Post. NFL Network first reported the move. Outten attracted attention for jobs after a strong two-game playcalling stint at the end of the season. He spent one year in Denver after working with Nathaniel Hackett in Green Bay previously. Elsewhere on staff, former offensive quality control coach Ramon Chinyoung is now the assistant offensive line coach for Dallas, according to his Twitter profile, while a source told The Post that instructional designer John Vieira is joining Hackett in New York.
That leaves Parker, defensive line coach Marcus Dixon and wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni as potential holdovers, though Azzanni’s options are widening. A source confirmed to The Post that Azzanni was set to interview with the New York Jets — and Hackett, that team’s new offensive coordinator — Tuesday after recently also interviewing with Buffalo.
Toys for Tykes: Surtain’s event was a kickoff for his newly formed foundation. Teammates including Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, P.J. Locke and Javonte Williams were on hand.
“This is a starting point and I’m looking forward to building off of it,” Surtain said. “… I’m excited to see what the future has to come from this and I’m blessed to be in this position.”