Why Broncos corner Patrick Surtain II won't be NFL's highest-paid DB for long

Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II should enjoy being the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history while he can.

Because soon enough, Jets corner Sauce Gardner will claim that title.

On Wednesday, the Broncos and Surtain agreed to a four-year, $96 million extension with $77.5 million guaranteed, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Gardner took notice of the transaction on social media.

Gardner is entering the third year of his rookie contract and is eligible for an extension next offseason.

The No. 4 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft was named Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year and received First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in his first two seasons, establishing himself as arguably the league's best cornerback.

His numbers compare favorably to Surtain's.

Per Pro Football Reference, Surtain has allowed 148 completions on 264 targets (56.1 percent) for 1,673 yards and 10 touchdowns while recording seven interceptions and 36 passes defended in his first three NFL seasons.

From 2022-23, quarterbacks were 77-of-141 (54.6 percent) for 784 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions when targeting Gardner, who also had 31 passes defended, the league's third-most during that span, via Stathead .

Extending Gardner is a no-brainer, but for the Jets, nothing is ever simple.

They're the same franchise that traded for edge-rusher Haason Reddick, who's on an expiring contract, earlier this offseason without a clear plan to sign him to an extension.

One day before the Ravens and Chiefs kick off the 2024 regular season, he's the league's only remaining hold-out .

New York can't let the same thing happen with Gardner. It should make him the NFL's highest-paid defensive back the first chance it gets.