The Broncos made the stunning decision to take cornerback Patrick Surtain II with the No. 9 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft Thursday, opting to leave one of the most highly-touted quarterbacks in Justin Fields on the table.

Sports Illustrated’s Mike Silver said on NFL Network Friday that Denver “really, really liked Fields,” but that they “just loved Patrick Surtain II more.”

Broncos general manager George Paton made a point to say the organization is content with Drew Lock, the quarterback they drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and recently acquired QB Teddy Bridgewater.

“Drew’s been working hard every day,” Paton told reporters after the conclusion of the first round Thursday. “Teddy’s going to bring some experience to the room, some leadership. So we’re really excited for both quarterbacks. We’re always looking at every position and quarterback’s another one, but we like the two we have.”

With the Panthers acquiring quarterback Sam Darnold from the Jets on the eve of the draft, Bridgewater was shipped to Denver in exchange for a sixth-round pick.

Fields, the two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, was ultimately drafted at No. 11 by the Bears, who traded up with the Giants to make it happen. Chicago sent their 20^th-overall pick, as well as their fifth-rounder and a first- and fourth-round pick next year, to the Giants in the deal.