The Denver Broncos named their 2024 team captains on Wednesday and quarterback Bo Nix made history as the team’s first rookie captain since 1967, but that shouldn’t overshadow another impressive feat.
Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton was elected a captain for a fourth straight season, and he was the most popular choice.
“Any young team, you’re still counting on experience and leadership,” coach Sean Payton said. “He’s one of those guys that I think he ended up with the most votes. I wouldn’t say it’s just because of his experience. I would say it’s because of his personality. It’s because of how he works.
“There are so many other traits. Years in the league I don’t think equates necessarily to being a good captain. I think there’s more to in than that, and I think that’s the way that his teammates looked at it.”
Now entering his seventh season in the NFL, Sutton will remain a key leader for Denver this fall.
“I told the guys at the dinner how grateful I was and how much of an honor it was,” Sutton said of being named captain yet again. “I don’t say that lightly. To be able to get voted on by your peers as a captain of a team and for guys to chose to the leader, it’s something that I treasure, and I hold dear to my heart. I appreciate the guys.
“They know that they’re going to get my best every day when we come out here for practice, meetings, the game or whatever it may be. I’m going to everything I can to make sure that I’m putting myself in a position to be successful and hopefully helping the guys be successful as well.”
In addition to Sutton and Nix, guard Quinn Meinerz, linebacker Alex Singleton, kicker Wil Lutz and cornerback Pat Surtain were also named captains.
“It means a lot,” Surtain said. “It’s a testament to how my teammates think of me as an individual. I’m ready to take on that captain role, and I’m looking forward to this year. Obviously, it’s my first year being a captain. I don’t take that role very lightly. It’s a huge honor for me to be able to lead such a great team moving forward towards the season. I’m honestly very grateful for it, and I can’t wait for the year to start.”
Nix, of course, is the big story.
“I’m not going to take it for granted,” the rookie said. “I have to come into work every single day and just prove that you can be a captain. I’m excited to work with these other guys, and I think it’s good that we can get out there and set the tone. It’s always good to be a captain.”
Nix will make his NFL debut when the Broncos go on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 8.
