DENVER — The standard is always high.
Quarterback Bo Nix is slated to make his first career start in Week 1, but cornerback Pat Surtain II said Denver's defense doesn't feel like it needs to elevate its performance to complement a young player.
That's because no matter who is under center — a first-year starter or longtime vet — the Denver defense expects big things from itself.
"We don't try to look at it like that," Surtain said Tuesday at the opening of his Inspiration Room at George Washington High School. "I just think the standard's the standard. We just try to be the best defense that we can be on the field. We obviously know that Bo's going to do great things, but for us, we know what type of defense we want to be, and we're just going to help the team out any way that's possible."
Surtain will face an early test as the Broncos see Pro Bowl receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but he's previously shown an ability to live up to that challenge. In the 2022 season opener, Surtain limited Metcalf to 36 receiving yards to kick off an All-Pro campaign.
"They're pretty dynamic," Surtain said. "They've got good perimeter players with him and Lockett and obviously [quarterback] Geno [Smith]. I think they've got a pretty good offense for sure. It's going to be a challenge for us, but we're going to be ready for it."
Surtain said while the Broncos are looking forward to the number of challenges ahead, they're also focused on a game-by-game approach.
"The main thing is just stay consistent each and every week, each and every ball game," Surtain said. "The main goal is just take it one week at a time."
A new season, though, does bring a certain level of excitement — and Surtain said he's eager for Denver's Week 1 game to arrive.
"Just the camaraderie we have the in locker room, you see the leaders on the team standing out," Surtain said. "I just think we're very hungry. We're very eager and hungry for Week 1 to start, because a lot of people are doubting us [and] a lot of people are counting us out. We know what type of team we have, and we're very confident about it."
Soon, the Broncos' All-Pro cornerback will have the chance to make his first impression of 2024 — and help the Denver defense meet its standard in the process.
