ENGLEWOOD – On Tuesday, Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto was told he had made his first career Pro Bowl. It took him two days to believe it.

Bonitto was one of three Denver players announced Thursday by the NFL as Pro Bowl Games starters for the AFC. Cornerback Pat Surtain II got his third straight nod and kick returner Marvin Mims Jr. his second straight selection.

“My agent first texted me on Tuesday that I got it, and (Broncos general manager) George Paton called me like an hour later and told me the same,’’ Bonitto said after practice Thursday at Broncos Park. “So I was like I still didn’t kind of believe it. I got to see it officially.”

The official announcement came at 7 a.m. Thursday that Bonitto had been selected in his third NFL season for the Feb. 9 AFC-NFC event in Orlando, Fla. He has 11.5 sacks this season and has returned both an interception and a fumble for touchdowns.

“It means the world,’’ Bonitto said. “Just knowing that it was something that I always dreamed of as a kid. Just being able to watch it all the time as a kid and trying to envision myself one day being there. For it to be a reality now is a dream come true.”

Surtain and Mims were among three Pro Bowl selections Denver had while going 8-9 last season, the other being since-departed safety Justin Simmons. The Broncos , 9-7 entering Sunday’s regular-season finale against Kansas City at Empower Field at Mile High, had expected to get more this time. Defensive end John Franklin-Myers said Wednesday he anticipated the team having “a good five or six.”

That didn’t happen, although the Broncos did have eight alternates named. The biggest snub was guard Quinn Meinerz, rated by Pro Football Focus as the AFC’s top-rated guard and fourth overall in the NFL.

The four-year veteran led all guards in AFC fan voting and was fourth overall, but the AFC guards chosen were starters Quenton Nelson of Indianapolis (rated No. 5 overall by Pro Football Focus) and Joe Thuney of Kansas City (No. 8) and reserve selection Trey Smith (No. 11) of the Chiefs.

Pro Bowl selections were determined by one third of a vote by fans, one third by coaches and one third by players.

“I think (Meinerz is) one of the best guards in the NFL, so we think he deserved it,’’ said Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. “(Head coach) Sean (Payton) always says a lot of times early in your career you might get passed over when you deserve it and then once you’ve established yourself, maybe later in your career there’s a young Quinn Meinerz that doesn’t get it because the old Quinn Meinerz did because he’s got a reputation.”

Meinerz is a first alternate. The other seven Denver alternates are Mitch Fraboni (first), kicker Wil Lutz (third), tackle Garett Bolles (third), fullback Michael Burton (fourth), defensive lineman Zach Allen (fourth), quarterback Bo Nix (fourth) and safety Brandon Jones (fifth).

Surtain’s selection was expected. He is rated by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s top cornerback.

“It’s a huge honor to be (selected) for the Pro Bowl,’’ Surtain said. “It just goes to show the type of year we’ve had, along with this team. … I think when you put team success along individual success, you get accolades like that.”

Surtain became just the fifth Broncos player since the 1970 AFC-NFC merger to make three Pro Bowls in his first four seasons.

Mims became just the second Denver player since the merger to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons. Pass rusher Von Miller was selected in 2011 and 2012 to begin his career.

“I think it’s a huge accomplishment for not only the only player but also the team,’’ Mims said of his nod. “I think it’s a really cool event they host. … Any time I can be recognized in the same stat as (Miller), it’s amazing.”

Mims a wide receiver, leads the NFL with a 15.7-yard average on punt returns and is seeking to become the first Broncos player to lead in that category since Rick Upchurch in 1982. He is averaging 27.7 yards on kickoff returns.

Mims has 34 catches for 452 yards and four touchdowns and is coming off a career-high eight receptions for 103 yards in last Saturday’s 30-24 overtime loss at Cincinnati. He is hopeful one day being chosen for the Pro Bowl as a receiver.

“Yeah, that’s the plan,’’ Mims said. “That’d be great. Making it as return specialist is great but one day I’d like to make it as a receiver.”

For now, the Broncos need a win or a tie against the Chiefs to clinch their first playoff berth since 2015. If they lose, they would get in if Cincinnati, which plays at Pittsburgh, and Miami, which plays at the New York Jets, both fail to win in Week 18.

“No doubt,’’ Surtain said of the realization that his Pro Bowl honor will mean more to him after the season. “We know the common goal is to get this win and secure our spot in the playoffs.’’

Still, the Broncos were able to pause Thursday and honor the three who made the Pro Bowl. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph reflected upon how far Bonitto has come since he was a second-round pick in 2022 and didn’t play much as a rookie. He did begin to blossom last season, when he had eight sacks.

“It’s fun to watch Nik be a Pro Bowler,’’ Joseph said. “He was a young guy last year with great talent who wasn’t this last year, so he’s that now. So that’s even more fun for me to watch guys improve and to become Pro Bowlers.”

On Tuesday, Bonitto got the news he made it. On Thursday, he saw it become official.