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 $13.5MM total in 2024 ($2MM of which has already been paid out). One year remains on his current pact beyond that, but none of his scheduled compensation for 2025 ($14MM) 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.
Wish the rumors were true and Sutton was coming to Pittsburgh. But between the talk about him, Aiyuk, Deebo and others, just seems the Steelers are content to save their draft picks and go with what they’ve got
Oy.
Steelers always find great WR’s late in the draft. S Holmes in ’06 was the last time they spent a 1st round pick on a WR. They’ll be fine is my guess. Their track record says so.
They still spend high draft capital. Juju, Claypool, Johnson, Pickens, Coates, James Washington were all picked with 3rd and 2nd round picks.
Sutton has the Broncos right where he wants them. They are going to have to give him a new deal. Sorry Steeler fans, he isn’t going there.
They’re keeping hopes alive in today’s Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, as Tim Benz writes, “However, the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson reignited the conversation Monday when he wrote, “It’s now uncertain how the Broncos will handle the future of Sutton, a wide receiver who reportedly wants a new contract and who has not been at voluntary offseason workouts since they began April 15. … It remains to be seen what will happen with Sutton, who has just $2 million of his $13 million contract guaranteed for 2024 and could be a candidate to be traded.”