Three Broncos earn Pro Bowl invites

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The NFL announced Wednesday that safety Justin Simmons, cornerback Pat Surtain II and returner Marvin Mims Jr. will represent the Broncos at the Pro Bowl Games in early February. All three players will be starters.

Additionally, guard Quinn Meinerz and fullback Michael Burton will serve as alternates.

For the second season, the NFL will hold “Pro Bowl Games.” Instead of an 11-on-11 tackle football game, the players will compete in flag football and skills competitions, like longest throw, best catch, dodgeball, video games and tug-of-war. The games will be held February 1-4 in Orlando and broadcast on ABC.

The Broncos’ three Pro Bowl representatives are their most since 2018, when Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr., Phillip Lindsay and Casey Kreiter made the Pro Bowl. Last season, Surtain was the Broncos’ only Pro Bowler.

Surtain is participating in his second Pro Bowl in three NFL seasons. He was also named a first-team All-Pro in 2022. He has broken up 11 passes and has one interception this season.

Simmons will make his second Pro Bowl appearance in eight seasons, with his other coming in 2020. This is his fifth consecutive season with Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors. Simmons has three interceptions 67 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery this season. Simmons, Steve Atwater and Goose Gonsoulin are the only safeties in Broncos history with multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl seasons.

Mims is the third Broncos’ return specialist to appear in the Pro Bowl, joining Glyn Milburn and Rick Upchurch. He is one of five Broncos rookies to earn Pro Bowl honors. Mims is averaging 17.4 yards per punt return and 26.3 yards per kickoff return. Mims hasn’t returned enough punts to qualify for the league leaderboard, but he would rank first if he had. He is one of four players to return a kick for a touchdown this season.