JULY 30: This is actually a $1.7MM incentive package. A three-tiered setup is now in place for the seventh-year receiver. Sutton can collect $500K if he totals 500 receiving yards and the Broncos improve on their 2023 point total or average yards per pass attempt, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. These two conditions are in place for the next two $500K escalators — at 750 and 1,065 yards, respectively. The final $500K bump can also be achieved if Sutton hits 900 receiving yards and the Broncos rank in the top 10 in yards per pass play.
The Broncos scored 357 points last season — well up from their 287-point debacle in 2022 — and saw Russell Wilson average 6.9 yards per attempt (21st). The final $200K would be available if the Broncos snap their playoff drought and Sutton either hits 1,500 receiving yards (his career high is 1,112, which came in 2019) or scores 10 touchdowns. Sutton did finish with 10 TD grabs last season.
JULY 25: Courtland Sutton attended Broncos’ training camp in anticipation of a new financial arrangement being worked out. That has now taken place, with the Pro Bowl wideout agreeing to new money being added to his pact. 
Sutton has received $1.5MM in additional incentives, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. He can now earn up to $15.2MM over the course of the 2024 campaign. The 28-year-old remains under contract through 2025, but this agreement will not change his scheduled earnings for next year. Sutton was originally due $2MM guaranteed over the remainder of his pact, which drove his efforts to land a new deal.
The former second-rounder skipped voluntary OTAs while seeking added compensation for the immediate future. Sutton was due a $13MM base salary in 2024 prior to today’s agreement, one which 9News’ Mike Klis confirms does not lock in a larger portion of his earnings in addition to the incentives being added on. He took part in mandatory minicamp, a move which avoided fines being accumulated. The same held true of training camp attendance.
Sutton signed a four-year, $60MM extension in 2021, a period before the numerous shifts which have taken place in the receiver market. The top of the positions’ pecking order has surged to $35MM per season, a mark Sutton did not realistically have a chance of approaching. Still, the SMU product will be able to increase his earning potential in 2024 as he looks to duplicate his strong campaign from last year. Sutton recorded a career-high 10 touchdowns in 2023, and he is positioned to remain Denver’s top receiver moving forward.
The Broncos traded away Jerry Jeudy this offseason, dealing the former first-rounder the Browns. Denver also still has Tim Patrick in the fold, and he will contribute starting production if he can remain healthy. Sutton represents the most experienced (six-year veteran) and productive (298 career receptions, 4,259 yards) option at the WR spot as the team spends the coming weeks determining its starting quarterback.
Sutton’s deal does not contain any guaranteed salary for the 2025 season, so today’s move could need to be repeated next offseason. Much of his bargaining power will, of course, depend on his production during Year 2 of head coach Sean Payton‘s tenure guiding the offense. With an upgraded deal in place, Sutton can now turn his attention to training camp and preparations for his seventh campaign in the Mile High City.
Brandon Aiyuk is smiling today ☺️
That’s a good deal for Denver. I’m honestly surprised that Sutton gave in for so little, and without any guarantees. That lack of for sure money was the crux of his disappointment. I suppose potential fines will do that to a guy.
I think the Broncos had him on the trade block at one point so he probably wasn’t in a position to push too hard for any guarantees. That being said he accepted incentives that are out of his control to a certain degree and that doesn’t strike me as a smart idea.
Fair, but leverage or not, we’ve seen players be disgruntled nonetheless. In Sutton’s case, though, I get the desire for guarantees of some kind at his age. He still didn’t get them.
I highly doubt that he hits those figures with a rookie QB who’s going to need to learn how to be a pro, though.
Well at least Sutton will be rewarded if he plays well. Sounds like a good compromise for both sides (Sutton is under contract). I’m tired of divas, brats and tantrums from grown men under contract.
Diva? Brat? Tantrums? I could be wrong but I think you just described Kliff Kingsbury 🙂
It’s an election year. He could be referring to anybody.