All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II sent a brief but friendly message to one of his former Denver Broncos teammates.

Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II is the 101 Awards' 2024 AFC Defensive Player of the Year, The Committee of 101 announced Wednesday. Surtain is the third Alabama alumnus to win the award, following Buffalo Bills linebacker Cornelius Bennett in 1988 and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas in 1991.

The Broncos may have been eliminated from the playoffs, but Patrick Surtain still got the chance to give Von Miller his flowers.

The Denver Broncos got away with a penalty on a key play during their Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Buffalo was leading 10-7

After allowing the fewest receiving yards at his position when targeted by opposing quarterbacks, Patrick Surtain II is the first Denver Bronco to be named the Pro Football Writers of America Defensive Player of the Year.

The reaction was overwhelming on social media almost immediately, though one of the most prominent voices to comment belonged to Denver Broncos star cornerback Patrick Surtain II. "C'mon man, what we supposed to do when he sliding?" Surtain posted .

Dec 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) reacts with linebacker Cody Barton (55) after an interception in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Empower Field at Mile High. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Orchard Park, N.Y. – Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II gave Von Miller and the Buffalo Bills some bulletin board material ahead of Sunday’s matchup. The Bills’ pass-rusher and future Hall of Famer kept the receipts.

Surtain, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was also honored as a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press for the second time in his career. On Monday, he was one of four Bronco players, including outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, punt returner Marvin Mims Jr. and right guard Quinn Meinerz, to be named to the PFWA’s All-NFL team.

T.J. Watt is again a finalist for the Associated Press defensive player of the year award, although he is not considered to be a front-runner to win it. The Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker, who won the award in 2021,

While Surtain is the first Alabama alumnus to win the PFWA’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, former Crimson Tide running backs Shaun Alexander with the Seattle Seahawks in 2005 and Derrick Henry with the Tennessee Titans in 2020 were the PFWA NFL Offensive Player of the Year.