The San Francisco 49ers already have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Could they improve it even more by adding a star player before the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline?
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II has been suggested as a possibility.
Following the Broncos’ embarrassing 70-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday, Surtain’s father, who was a fine NFL cornerback during his playing days as well, took to X to express his displeasure with his son’s current situation in Denver.
The number “2” in the post is referencing Surtain II’s jersey number.
NFL RUMORS & NEWS: San Francisco 49ers Updates
Marc Delucchi of Niners Nation posed the idea of the 49ers potentially swinging a deal for Surtain, noting that the club has more than $40 million in cap space. He also notes that the Broncos, who traded pass rusher Bradley Chubb for a first-round draft pick last season, may be open to doing the same thing with Surtain this time around.
It’s not that Denver has to trade Surtain right now. He has one year remaining on his deal, and he is only 23 years old. However, it seems pretty clear that there is very little chance of the Broncos legitimately contending any time in the near future, so they may just want to cash in on Surtain while they have the chance. Plus, because the defensive back still has time left on his contract, Denver would likely be able to extract more value from rival clubs in a return.
NFL RUMORS & NEWS: San Francisco 49ers Updates
Of course, this is all just speculation at this juncture, as the Broncos have shown no indication that they would be interested in moving Surtain just yet.
Through three games this season, Surtain has logged 10 tackles and three passes defended. He is coming off of a fantastic 2022 campaign in which he registered 60 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and 10 passes defended en route to a Pro Bowl appearance and a First-Team All-Pro selection.
