The next phase of the Broncos’ offseason program is beginning on Monday, but Courtland Sutton remains absent from the team. The veteran wideout is seeking a new deal, though nothing is imminent on that front.
Sutton is due $13.5M total in 2024 ($2M of which has already been paid out). One year remains on his current pact beyond that, but none of his scheduled compensation for 2025 ($14M) is guaranteed. The 28-year-old is angling for adjustments to the contract providing more assurances, but with all practice time being voluntary at this point in the offseason, there is little incentive for team or player to budge from their current stance.
Mike Klis of 9News notes that communication between Sutton’s camp and the Broncos has been “respectful” up to this point. That is a positive sign, especially when coupled with the fact that a trade sending the former second-rounder out of the Mile High City is increasingly unlikely. Denver received interest in the lead-in to the draft, but no deal took place during the event. That comes as little surprise considering the team’s desire to retain Sutton moving forward.
As Klis confirms, the SMU product has not requested a trade despite the ongoing dispute with the Broncos. Sutton has been in Denver throughout his six-year career, and he has been the focal point of the team’s passing game when healthy. In three seasons since his ACL tear in 2020, he has received 297 targets while the Broncos have dealt with injuries amongst other pass-catchers. Last year, he posted career highs in touchdowns (10) and catch percentage (65.6%).
The decision to trade Jerry Jeudy to the Browns was followed up by the signing of Josh Reynolds. The latter will be joined by rookies Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele as newcomers in Denver’s 2024 receiver room. Even with those arrivals and the return of Tim Patrick, though, Sutton will be counted on as the top receiving option for the Broncos’ starting quarterback.
That role will likely be held by first-rounder Bo Nix, who is now missing out on time to develop chemistry with Sutton during spring workouts. That situation would of course become more dire if it were to continue into training camp (when mandatory fines for missed practices or a hold-in could come into play in Sutton’s case). This situation is not currently positioned to result in a parting of ways, but it nevertheless remains worth monitoring as the offseason unfolds.
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