Courtland Sutton and his agent have let the Broncos know he will not play on the final year of this contract, which calls for a $13.5MM base salary. That amount will not become guaranteed until just before Week 1. The Broncos are preparing eventual Sutton extension talks, and a potential price range has circulated. A rumor that emerged earlier this offseason pointed to a deal worth upwards of $25MM per year, Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline writes. This would mark a significant raise for Sutton, who signed a $15MM-AAV extension in 2021.
A $25MM AAV would place Sutton in a tie for 11th among receivers. That might be a bit lofty for a two-time 1,000-yard going into an age-30 season, but the cap continues to spike and the Broncos relied on him to both coax improved play from Russell Wilson (in 2023) and quick development from Bo Nix (2024). Sutton finished with 1,081 receiving yards last season and has caught 18 TD passes over the past two. A $25MM-per-year deal would put Sutton ahead of emerging Texans standout Nico Collins while matching him with DeVonta Smith. It would stand to reason the Broncos would aim to have his third contract come in lower than $25MM on average, but that number emerging early is interesting.
Here is the latest out of Denver:
- Sean Payton confirmed at the Combine (via the Denver Post’s Troy Renck) running back and tight end will be priorities soon; the third-year Broncos HC mentioned this during a Kay Adams interview earlier this month as well. Denver rosters little of note at tight end, having seen its Greg Dulcich miss prove costly ahead of an in-season cut, but does return Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime in the backfield. Javonte Williams wants to stay, but recent rumors had the former second-rounder more likely to depart. George Paton said (via DenverSports.com) there is “a chance” Williams stays, noting that the once-productive back will be another year removed from the ACL and LCL tears he sustained in October 2022. Williams has not been the same player since that malady, however, his return would limit the Broncos from a potential upgrade — particularly a player who could be the coveted “joker” performer Payton regularly mentions.
- Although Nix dealt with a transverse process fracture, the QB’s back was not the area his recent surgery addressed. Rather, an ankle procedure took place, 9News’ Mike Klis adds. Nix skipped the Pro Bowl Games, as an alternate invitee, to deal with an issue that nagged him before last season. It affected him at the 2024 Combine, per Renck, who notes the Oregon prospect was dealing with turf toe at that time. That explains why Nix threw at the event but did not run the 40-yard dash. The Broncos benefited from the QB’s mobility last season, and he may be in better form in Year 2 after this surgery.
- Vacillating between edge rusher and inside linebacker during his career, Drew Sanders will be focusing on the latter area in his third season. Payton said (via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson) he considers the 2023 third-round pick an ILB moving forward. After suffering an Achilles tear last spring, the Arkansas alum will be in line to help a Broncos team that has regular LBs Cody Barton and Justin Strnad due for free agency.
- Sanders’ former position coach has run into some trouble, however. Broncos OLBs coach Michael Wilhoite was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault in connection with an incident at the Denver International Airport on Sunday, Klis reports. A Denver police officer working on assignment told Wilhoite he could not leave his car unattended at a departure terminal. After allegedly cursing at the officer, Wilhoite bumped his chest into him. After the officer is alleged to have pushed Wilhoite, the former linebacker is accused of punching him in the face. The officer then used his taser, but Wilhoite still drove off before being apprehended soon after. Wilhoite, 38, has been released on bail. A former Saints assistant, Wilhoite has coached the Broncos’ OLBs for two seasons.