Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey thinks the Broncos have a unique opportunity to see what the have in the absence of All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain.
During the Broncos' Week 4 loss against the San Francisco 49ers, Surtain suffered a non-contact ankle injury late in the first half and had to be helped off the field. Thankfully, on Monday, Denver received news that Surtain avoided the "worst-case scenario" of a season-ending Achilles injury, and he could miss a few weeks. Over the next 11 days, the Broncos will face the Los Angeles Chargers and the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
In an interview with Kay Adams on the Up and Adams Show, Bailey said the Broncos can now turn to their 2025
first-round draft pick in Jahdae Barron. The second-year cornerback has struggled to see playing time was instantly thrust into action after Surtain's injury on Sunday.
"You know he's your best man-to-man guy," Bailey said of Surtain. "And you know, a non-contact injury worries anybody, especially the player. It sucks because even when he comes back, you gotta worry, 'Is he going to be himself?' Is he going to have the confidence? Is he playing hurt, coming back too early? All those things have to be weighed. But while he's out, you don't have the versatility of putting him on the best guy... but it doesn't hamper you. Now you go in with a different game plan.
"Now teams have to guess, 'What are they going to do, what are they going to hang their hat on?' Ultimately, in the short term, they could have the advantage because teams don't know how they're going to use Jahdae Barron, who I expect to replace Pat. Use it to your advantage."
Pat Surtain missing time is a GOOD THING? Champ Bailey on the advantage for the Broncos defense...
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 5, 2026
Enter Jahdae Barron.@champbailey | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/JvzDEk4FrC
In the preseason, Barron played a significant amount of time, even getting a pick-six in their win over the Atlanta Falcons. Now, he faces the prospect of going against Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and Sam Darnold, both of whom can take advantage of bad corner play.
According to PFF, Barron played well when he was suddenly inserted into Week 4, coming in as the team's second-highest-rated defensive player behind star pass-rusher Nik Bonitto.
If Barron could take advantage of this time, the Broncos could see Barron take hold of a starting job, perhaps not right now, but in 2027 when both Riley Moss and Ja'Quan McMillian are scheduled to become free agents.
Denver's defense will miss Surtain, but it will create an opportunity for Barron to step up.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Champ Bailey says Broncos can use Pat Surtain injury to their advantage
