What happened: Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II met with the media Tuesday to open mandatory minicamp, addressing his recent contract raise and the addition of receiver Jaylen Waddle. Surtain expressed high expectations for the defense after Denver secured the AFC's top seed last season.
Why it matters: The reunion of Surtain and Waddle, former Alabama teammates, provides a high-level practice environment as Denver attempts to break through in the AFC postseason. Surtain's $5 million salary bump reflects his status as a foundational piece while the team maintains nearly $30 million in cap space.
By the numbers: Surtain received a $5 million raise for 2026 with $5 million in additional incentives. Denver currently holds $29.8 million in cap space, ranking 8th in the NFL.
What to watch: The Broncos will continue mandatory minicamp as Surtain and Waddle begin their first full sequence of summer practices together.