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Courtland Sutton

Examining Final Stage Of WR Trade Market

October 31st, 2024 at 10:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

The top dominoes on the wide receiver trade market have likely fallen. Third-round picks changed hands in the Davante Adams and Amari Cooper swaps, and DeAndre Hopkins will join Adams as a Hall of Fame candidate — one who can now bolster his case by moving the needle for a Chiefs threepeat bid.

Diontae Johnson also wound up in a second trade this year, albeit for lower-than-expected compensation. This offseason also brought the likes of Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen and Jerry Jeudy being traded, marking another busy year — both contractually and transactionally — at the position.

More pieces figure to be moved before the deadline. Here is where things stand with the remaining trade chips at the receiver position:

Likely departures

Darius Slayton, Giants

This Giants regime attempted to move on from Slayton two years ago, leaving the proven target out of the starting lineup into training camp and cutting his pay on a rookie contract. Slayton ended up mattering quite a bit in Brian Daboll‘s first year, which produced a surprise playoff berth despite Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay producing next to nothing and Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson suffering season-ending injuries. Slayton, as he has throughout his career, remained a reliable albeit unspectacular Daniel Jones weapon. Slayton, 27, has led the Giants in receiving four times since being a 2019 fifth-round pick but has never eclipsed 800 yards, illustrating the long-running issues plaguing this aerial attack.

Malik Nabers arrived as a result of those issues (and the Patriots passing on the Giants’ trade-up bid for Drake Maye), but Slayton has not been marginalized. The sixth-year wideout, with 420 yards in eight games, is on pace for a career-high total. He continues to aid Jones, but with the Giants falling to 2-6 and having a Commanders matchup on tap, teams will call on Slayton. Linked to several big-name receivers this year, the Steelers are believed to be interested. The Texans may be lurking as well.

Just more than $1.3MM remains on Slayton’s through-2024 contract, and although a recent report pointed to a high asking price, this remains the best chance for the Giants to collect an asset for a player they did not extend — despite the veteran’s efforts to secure better terms — this offseason.

Mike Williams, Jets

Williams is 30, coming off an ACL tear and on a team that has rendered him to the periphery following the Adams acquisition. The free agency pickup combined for one reception since Adams’ Week 7 debut and has just 11 catches for 160 yards in eight games as a Jet. With Allen Lazard regaining steam with Aaron Rodgers healthy, it is unsurprising the Jets started shopping Williams in earnest immediately after the Adams trade. Just more than $2.3MM will remain on the former top-10 pick’s contract after tonight’s game; the Jets will wait until after their Week 9 matchup to see if a worthwhile offer emerges.

Considering the rumor volume here, enough smoke exists to predict a second Williams separation from a team this year. The Saints and Steelers have pursued him, though at 2-6, New Orleans no longer profiles as a buyer despite being in on Adams weeks ago. The Jets also are in a seller’s position, though GM Joe Douglas‘ job being on the line may keep the subtractions to a minimum. The Chargers are 4-3 and have inquired about bringing the 2017 draftee back, despite cutting him in March.

Lazard’s Thursday IR placement does throw a wrench in teams’ potential plans to trade for Williams. He was previously viewed as a near-certainty to be dealt. It would be interesting if that injury prompted the Jets to take Williams off the market due to the high-stakes circumstances tied to this season.

A to-be-determined Patriot

Three separate Pats wideouts — K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton and trade-rumor fixture Kendrick Bourne — have been tied to potential moves. At 2-6, New England will need to aim for some moves before next week’s deadline. Bourne, 29, has indicated he would like to stay to help the team’s Drake Maye-fronted rebuild. In addition to Thornton being one of many highly drafted Bill Belichick wideouts who have failed to take off in Foxborough, second-year target Kayshon Boutte has griped about his role.

This fluid situation will almost definitely involve one trade. Osborn, Bourne’s rumor regularity notwithstanding, may be the more likely veteran piece New England deals. The Pats are believed to be shopping he and Bourne, despite the latter having re-signed (on a three-year, $19MM deal) in March. The 49ers, who wanted Bourne back during Brandon Aiyuk trade talks with the Patriots this summer, appear to be standing down at the position following Aiyuk’s injury. The Pats signed Osborn for one year and $4MM, but just $1.18MM consists of base salary, providing relative value for teams, as Osborn has two 600-plus-yard seasons as a Vikings slot on his resume.

Calls coming in

Tee Higgins, Bengals

Carson Palmer‘s quasi-retirement and a Jason Campbell injury producing a monster offer (first- and second-rounders) brought the Bengals to make a deadline trade; Carlos Dunlap becoming a malcontent before the 2020 deadline keyed another such move. Teams have asked about Higgins for a while, as the former second-rounder requested a trade in March. Despite a failure to complete an extension with Ja’Marr Chase this offseason, the Bengals have made it clear the younger WR is their long-term priority.

Higgins is tied to a $21.8MM franchise tag tender, being the only 2024 tag recipient not extended this offseason. Couple that $10MM-plus salary number, if traded after Week 9, and the Bengals’ past and it is a mortal lock the longtime Chase wingman finishes the season in Cincinnati. Higgins, 25, could be re-tagged in 2025, giving the Bengals another window to move on if/once they hold onto him at this year’s deadline.

Cooper Kupp, Rams

The Rams made news earlier this month by both confirming they had received calls on Kupp and a separate report suggesting the team was shopping him. The Chiefs, Bills and Steelers are among the teams to discuss Kupp with the Rams; Kansas City is believed to have preferred Kupp to the player ultimately acquired (Hopkins). But the Rams have won two straight, the second of which featuring Kupp and Puka Nacua back at work.

Sean McVay has all but confirmed Kupp is not going anywhere, and the Rams — who had wanted a return that surpassed the Adams price (conditional third-round pick) — have the former triple-crown winner signed through 2026.

D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks

At this season’s outset, Deebo Samuel appeared much less likely than Metcalf to play out a three-year contract inked during training camp in 2022. Now, Samuel is back as the 49ers’ No. 1 wideout (thanks to Aiyuk’s injury) and Metcalf is drawing trade interest. Calls have come in on the sixth-year pass catcher, who is tied to a three-year, $72MM extension that runs through 2025. The Seahawks, however, are not expected to move their top wideout.

Paired with Tyler Lockett for six seasons, Metcalf is a more appealing trade option due to his age (26). Lockett is 32, and while it is worth wondering the Seahawks would be more amenable to moving the older player, no rumors have swirled there. Seattle has hired a new coaching staff and would drop to 4-5 with a loss to Los Angeles this weekend, but it appears the Mike Macdonald-run team will stick with the big-bodied target throughout the season before potentially reassessing ahead of his contract year.

On trade radar

Jakobi Meyers, Raiders

The Raiders did extensive work on the past two quarterback classes, going elsewhere in 2023 and then seeing an effort to trade up for Jayden Daniels predictably fail this year. Las Vegas is between eras at quarterback, with a flood of rumors set to tie the team to the 2025 class undoubtedly coming soon.

The team already picked up a Jets 2025 third-rounder, but with Meyers initially signed to continue working under his three-year Patriots OC (Josh McDaniels), he makes sense as a trade chip as well. Although the Raiders were rumored to want to keep the sixth-year vet, teams are monitoring his status. The Texans, whose GM (Nick Caserio) was in place when the Pats signed Meyers as a UDFA, may be one of them. Meyers’ three-year, $33MM deal runs through 2025; no guarantees are on the accord post-2024.

Josh Palmer, Chargers

Drafted by current Raiders GM Tom Telesco, Palmer is not believed to be in the Jim Harbaugh-run Chargers’ plans much longer. The former third-round pick has been productive in recent years, as injuries to Mike Williams and Keenan Allen proved frequent in that span.

Capable of playing inside and outside, Palmer would be of interest to a team that misses on Slayton — if, in fact, the six-year Giant is moved. The Bolts are believed to be open trading Palmer, potentially wanting someone else to fill in alongside new top target Ladd McConkey. Palmer appears likely to leave as a free agent in March, so it is logical — even at 4-3 — for the Chargers to consider moving on now.

Courtland Sutton, Broncos

Never one to be excluded from rumors during one of the NFL’s trade windows, Sutton remains the Broncos’ top wideout. His purpose is now boosting Bo Nix‘s development, which is going better than most expected. As Nix won NFL Rookie of the Month honors for October, Sutton is still coming up as a candidate to be moved. The Steelers are interested, to the point they may have the ex-Russell Wilson weapon as their lead trade target. This is old hat for the seventh-year player, who has been coming up in trade rumors since the 2022 deadline. Sean Payton confirmed his WR1 drew more interest this year.

Sutton, 29, is tied to a four-year, $60MM deal — one that has become rather team-friendly, especially with no 2025 guarantees in place — that features just a $1.13MM base salary. Because the Broncos restructured the deal for cost-saving purposes, Sutton would tag them with more than $15MM in dead money — an amount that would be spread between this year and next in the event of a trade. The low salary would appeal to trade suitors, but with Wilson set to count more than $30MM against the Broncos’ 2025 cap, taking on another chunk of dead money now would be a curious strategy. Sutton’s exit would come as strange due to his importance to Nix’s growth and the Broncos having declined a third-round offer from the 49ers in August.

Jonathan Mingo, Adam Thielen, Panthers

Thielen is a 34-year-old receiver on a Panthers team early in a rebuild. No guarantees remain on the ex-Viking’s three-year, $25MM contract for 2025, making him a logical trade candidate. This topic came up recently, and despite the Panthers trading Johnson already, it is doubtful they would pass on offers to keep Thielen, who profiles as a 2025 cut candidate. The former Minnesota UDFA, who tacked on a third 1,000-yard season to his resume last season, remains in the IR-return window after a hamstring injury.

A 2023 second-round pick who has not thus far justified his draft slot, Mingo came up recently as a player who is probably not part of the Panthers’ long-term plans. Mingo may have more trade value, despite the accomplishment gap between these Carolina targets, due to his age and contract status. The Ole Miss alum’s rookie deal runs through 2026, though he is sitting on just 12 catches for 121 yards despite not missing a game this season.

Courtland Sutton, Darius Slayton On Steelers’ Radar?

October 31st, 2024 at 10:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Steelers have climbed to 6-2, they have seen Russell Wilson deliver two promising starts in wins over the Jets and Giants. Those conquests still do not appear to have moved the AFC North leaders out of a wide receiver market they have populated for months.

The Steelers have been tied to Davante Adams, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Mike Williams at points this year. Cooper Kupp also came up in conversations. Pittsburgh’s interest in Williams remains, with the team joining the Chargers and Saints (and probably others) as clubs looking into a player the Jets continue to shop. Considering Pittsburgh’s need, it also should not surprise the team is being linked to two trade-block regulars.

Courtland Sutton and Darius Slayton are believed to join Williams on the Steelers’ radar, according to Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, who indicates a hierarchy exists here. The Steelers are believed to have plenty of interest in prying Sutton from Denver, though Pauline adds the Broncos — as they have for years — are setting a high asking price on one of this NFL period’s trade-rumor mainstays.

Sutton’s name, despite the Broncos’ 5-3 record, came up recently — yet again. Sutton, 29, has been mentioned at just about every NFL trade window since the 2022 deadline. The Broncos then set a second-round asking price on the 6-foot-4 wideout during the 2023 offseason, seeing him usurp Jerry Jeudy as Wilson’s top target. Wilson and Sutton formed a rapport, one that produced a few acrobatic catches from the former second-round pick, last season. As a result, it would not surprise if the Steelers were one of the teams in on Sutton this offseason.

Sean Payton confirmed several clubs called about Sutton this year, doing so after the Broncos unloaded Jeudy for fifth- and sixth-round picks. The most notable 2024 Sutton “what if?” came in August, when the 49ers offered a third-round pick to the Broncos in what would have been a three-team deal that sent Sutton to Denver and Aiyuk to Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ trade framework with the 49ers for Aiyuk did not turn out to be enough, as the now-high-priced veteran recommitted to San Francisco — weeks before sustaining a season-ending injury.

It would represent odd timing for the Broncos to finally part with Sutton, as their WR corps is thin — especially after Josh Reynolds landed on IR and then suffered injuries in a recent shooting — beyond the seventh-year vet. Second-rounder Marvin Mims has not developed as the Broncos hoped, and the team is otherwise reliant on fourth- and seventh-round rookies (Troy Franklin, Devaughn Vele). Trading Sutton now would stand to affect Bo Nix‘s development, hence the high price the Broncos are again setting.

As Sutton is tied to a four-year, $60MM deal that features no guarantees in 2025 — the contract’s final year — Slayton is winding down a two-year, $12MM accord. The Giants wide receiver has started strong this season, becoming a nice complementary piece alongside fast-emerging rookie Malik Nabers. The latter is New York’s future at the position, with Slayton — a Dave Gettleman-era draftee who has come up in trade rumors at multiple points — a player the Giants will undoubtedly consider moving before the Nov. 5 deadline.

The Giants are also setting a notable price on their WR trade chip, as both Slayton and Azeez Ojulari have drawn interest but are not locks to move. Though, the Giants’ 2-6 record — ahead of a Commanders matchup — may carry the day. Slayton appears a Sutton backup plan, per Pauline, but probably will be easier to obtain at this point.

The Steelers have sought a George Pickens complement for months, having traded Diontae Johnson during the legal tampering period in March. Slot player Calvin Austin has become Pittsburgh’s de facto WR2, with 257 yards, but given their hot start, the Steelers figure to make a final push to help Wilson before the deadline.

WR Rumors: Sutton, Chargers, Jets, Meyers

October 29th, 2024 at 2:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

It would be rather odd if the Broncos resisted trading Courtland Sutton at basically every NFL trade window since the 2022 deadline, when the veteran wide receiver established himself as one of this period’s trade-rumor mainstays, and then deal him during a somewhat promising season. But, stop if you’ve heard this before, Sutton is in play to be dealt. Some around the league view the seventh-year wideout as “50-50” to be moved before the Nov. 5 deadline, per Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline.

Sutton, 29, attempted to secure a raise from his $13MM base salary but only received a $1.7MM incentive package this offseason. Denver not budging would point to an openness to a trade, but the team declined a third-round pick for its top receiver from the 49ers, nixing what could have been a three-team trade with the Steelers during the Brandon Aiyuk saga. The Broncos had aimed for a second-rounder for Sutton during the 2023 offseason, progressing in talks with the Ravens before the AFC North club pivoted to an Odell Beckham Jr. signing, but centered their passing attack around him in Sean Payton‘s debut.

This season, the Broncos have needed Sutton to help Bo Nix‘s development. Sutton leads the team with 29 receptions for 377 yards this season, helping a club that is otherwise dependent on rookie-contract players — especially in light of the shooting involving Josh Reynolds. Marvin Mims has not become a factor on offense, as the 2023 second-rounder was viewed as the player the Broncos wanted to replace Jerry Jeudy. The Broncos have Sutton signed through 2025 on a team-friendly deal (four years, $60MM). No guarantees are in place beyond this season, likely opening the door to another round of trade rumors — in the event Denver hangs onto him before next week’s deadline.

With Diontae Johnson the latest receiver to move, here is the latest from the position’s trade market:

  • Josh Palmer appears headed to free agency after this season. The former Brandon Staley/Tom Telesco-era piece has not assimilated too well in Greg Roman‘s offense, totaling 15 receptions for 243 yards and no touchdowns this season. The former third-round pick, who operated as key injury insurance behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams under Staley, is not believed to be in the Chargers‘ long-term plans, Pauline adds. The Chargers have been linked to reacquiring Williams, and Pauline indicates the team would like to upgrade on Palmer, who has a chance to be traded. In a contract year, Palmer has a 769-yard season on his resume and has shown the ability to play in the slot and outside. The Chargers have seen Ladd McConkey take over their passing attack, though Palmer remains the team’s second-leading pass catcher.
  • Speaking of Williams, he remains with the Jets. That is unlikely to be the case much longer, especially with the team falling to 2-6. Viewed as a trade piece when the team was 2-4, Williams has caught just one pass since the Jets acquired Davante Adams. Tied to a one-year, $10MM deal, Williams is viewed a near-certainty to be dealt, according to the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora. Mentioning Christian Kirk‘s injury as a driver for the Williams market, La Canfora indicates the Jets had been trying to slow-play this market. (Though, Kirk’s injury did not seem to help the Panthers with Johnson’s trade value.) The Jets, who roster Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard as well, have also talked Williams with the Saints and Steelers, each of whom also pursued Adams. Gang Green is not interested in moving Wilson, keeping Williams as the most logical trade chip.
  • With Jakobi Meyers a Josh McDaniels pupil in New England who signed during the since-fired HC’s stay, he profiles as a trade chip for the Raiders. Las Vegas, however, had planned to hang onto the sixth-year wideout, La Canfora adds. Though, rival execs believe he could be a notable trade piece as the deadline approaches. Meyers, 28 next month, is due just more than $3MM in base salary post-Week 8 and is signed through 2025.

Contract Details: Ravens, 49ers, Sutton, Bates

September 4th, 2024 at 9:32pm CST by Ben Levine

The Ravens reworked a handful of contracts this week. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team restructured linebacker Roquan Smith‘s contract. ESPN’s Field Yates adds that defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and kicker Justin Tucker also reworked their pacts.

Smith’s restructuring helped create $4.875MM in cap space, per Rapoport. Smith is playing on the second year of a five-year, $100MM extension he signed with the Ravens in 2023. In total, the three recent contract restructurings will total $9.3MM in savings, per Yates.

GM Eric DeCosta recently hinted that the team may be over the cap after adding a long list of practice squad players (via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic). The executive was confident the organization would quickly get cap compliant, and it sounds like the front office also managed to squeeze out some extra financial wiggle room heading into the regular season.

More cap restructurings from around the NFL…

  • Deebo Samuel provided the 49ers with some cap space the other day, with the wideout’s restructuring providing the team with a whopping $16.4MM in cap space (via Yates). Samuel is still playing on the three-year, $73.5MM extension he inked with San Francisco in 2022. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins also recently reworked his contract, saving the 49ers $5.43MM against the cap, per Yates. The team specifically converted $6.79MM of Collins’ upcoming salary into a signing bonus, adding three void years in the process (per Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac).
  • The Broncos continue to commit to wideout Courtland Sutton, at least for the entirety of the 2024 campaign. The team restructured the receiver’s contract, helping open $9.5MM in cap space, per Yates. Specifically, the team converted $11.875MM of Sutton’s $13MM salary into a bonus, per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver. The reduced financial flexibility reduces the chances of a Sutton trade during the upcoming season.
  • The Falcons opened up about $7.5MM in cap space by reworking Jessie Bates‘ contract, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. The team converted $11.25MM of his 2024 base salary into a signing bonus, increasing his 2025 ($22.25MM) and 2026 ($22.27MM) cap hits in the process.
  • The Panthers reworked a pair of contracts, according to Yates. Both offensive tackle Taylor Moton and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle helped provide the Panthers with some breathing room, as the duo’s restructurings created $10.7MM in cap room.
  • The Saints opened $3.5MM in cap space by reworking Juwan Johnson‘s deal, per Yates. The tight end inked a two-year extension with the team ahead of the 2023 campaign, with $11.5MM of his $12MM earnings guaranteed.

Broncos Received Renewed Trade Interest For WR Courtland Sutton

September 2nd, 2024 at 12:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

If the 49ers had dealt Brandon Aiyuk to the Steelers, San Francisco would have attempted to compensate for his departure by acquiring veteran wideout Courtland Sutton. The Broncos rebuked that trade interest, but they received other calls on the Sutton front.

[RELATED: Broncos Cut WR Tim Patrick]

Head coach Sean Payton said on Monday that “many teams” made inquiries into Sutton over the past several months (h/t Mike Klis of 9News). The 28-year-old has frequently found himself a trade candidate, with a Ravens swap nearly taking place in March 2023. That did not end up materializing, although Sutton and Jerry Jeudy remained on the trade block through last year’s deadline.

Denver put a second-round price tag on Sutton, who remained in place and scored a career-high 10 touchdowns in 2023. The Broncos ended up adhering to Jeudy’s renewed trade request by dealing him to the Browns, leaving Sutton in place as a key holdover for a passing attack which will be led by first-round rookie Bo Nix. One of several receivers to express displeasure with their contract situations, Sutton skipped OTAs but took part in mandatory minicamp and training camp while seeking an adjustment to his deal.

That effort ultimately landed him $1.7MM in incentives being added to his 2024 compensation. Sutton is under contract for the next two years, and another impressive season from the former Pro Bowler this season would help his case to land an extension next spring. Sutton has topped 1,000 yards only once in his career, but the Broncos’ decision to keep him in place is a sign of the team’s willingness to rely on him as a No. 1 wideout.

Payton termed the 49ers’ reported offer (a third-round pick) “a stretch,” adding that negotiations did not go far. Aiyuk wound up agreeing to a 49ers extension, taking San Francisco out of the market for any further Sutton pursuit. No reports over the summer pointed to any serious talks with other suitors taking place regarding the SMU product, although he is obviously still a target for interested parties. A strong first half of the season could leave Denver out of seller status ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, but otherwise it would not come as a surprise if Sutton’s name were to emerge on the trade block once again.

49ers Made Offer For Broncos WR Courtland Sutton

August 29th, 2024 at 9:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brandon Aiyuk‘s 49ers drama is over; the long-running extension saga ended with a $30MM-per-year deal. But the Steelers loom as the second-place finishers. Pittsburgh not having a wide receiver to send to San Francisco hurt its chances, as the 49ers understandably wanted an immediate replacement.

A workaround formed for the 49ers during the trade chapter — which featured framework with the Steelers — of this offseason-overshadowing Aiyuk drama. The defending NFC champions offered the Broncos a third-round pick for Courtland Sutton, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, but Denver declined.

For all intents and purposes, this would have been akin to a three-team trade. The 49ers would have then traded Aiyuk to the Steelers, Russini implies, with the Broncos suddenly playing a central role in the “what if?” Aiyuk-to-Pittsburgh scenario. The Pittsburgh component also includes the team offering the 49ers second- and third-round picks for Aiyuk, SI.com’s Albert Breer reports. The Sutton piece of this puzzle would have involved the Pittsburgh third going to Denver.

Had the Sutton offer produced a deal, the 49ers would have been better positioned to send Aiyuk to the Steelers. With the Broncos keeping Sutton as their top wideout — after a Browns deal involving Amari Cooper fell through — the 49ers were in a tougher spot with Aiyuk. The parties returned to the table and hammered out an extension that locks in fifth-year standout through 2028.

Considering the Broncos unloaded Jerry Jeudy for fifth- and sixth-round picks, this seemingly would have been a tempting proposal. Sutton was acquired before Sean Payton‘s arrival, and only $2MM in guarantees remain on his through-2025 deal. Sutton has also been a trade-rumor mainstay since before the 2022 deadline. Denver holding off here suggests the team wants a proven target around Bo Nix, as a future Sutton trade proposal may well not include third-round compensation.

While Pittsburgh has only George Pickens as a proven starter-level receiver, the team did draft Roman Wilson in Round 3. The Steelers have turned several Day 2 wideouts into promising receivers, with Antonio Brown coming from Day 3. This edition, now featuring ex-Broncos QB Russell Wilson at the controls, looks to include Van Jefferson as Pickens’ top complement. It would have been out of character for the Steelers to bring in an outside receiver of Aiyuk’s caliber (and pay him the $27MM-plus-per-year deal they proposed), but it does look like the Omar Khan-led operation was close to doing so. It needed some help the Broncos were unwilling to provide.

San Francisco’s offer comes nearly 18 months after Denver nearly dealt Sutton to Baltimore. The Ravens were on the verge of acquiring Sutton in March 2023 but backed out and signed Odell Beckham Jr. The Broncos, who had set a second-round asking price on Sutton and a first-rounder on Jeudy last year, went back to the well with the two John Elway-era WR additions. Sutton overtook Jeudy as Russell Wilson’s top target, catching 10 touchdown passes — including a few acrobatic grabs — to help the team recover from a 1-5 start.

Jeudy is now in Cleveland; he may well have become Aiyuk’s Browns complementary piece, with the 49ers wideout nixing a trade that would have sent Cooper to San Francisco. Both Cooper and Sutton expressed disappointment in their contracts this offseason, though their respective teams agreed on mere incentive packages. Despite this low-key end to Denver’s Sutton talks, the team appears to value the 2018 second-rounder in Payton’s second year.

Russini’s report also pours some cold water on the Broncos unloading Sutton before the trade deadline. Denver just cut Tim Patrick, who had run with its starters for much of camp and the preseason, but has Sutton in place as its wideout anchor. The team will attempt to develop recent draftees Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele, as Josh Reynolds is now in place as veteran support. But Sutton, who is entering his age-29 season, will be relied upon to boost Nix’s rookie-year development.

Broncos Add Incentives To Courtland Sutton’s Contract

July 30th, 2024 at 4:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

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.

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton Expected To Attend Training Camp

July 23rd, 2024 at 8:56pm CST by Ben Levine

While there hasn’t been a resolution on Courtland Sutton‘s contract, the wide receiver is expected to participate in training camp. Sean Payton told reporters (including Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post) that he expects the wideout to practice with the team this week. The Broncos are set to hit the practice field for the first time on Wednesday.

Payton also acknowledged that he hasn’t talked with the receiver about his contract dispute, but the coach is confident it won’t be a distraction. Sutton is still attached to a four-year, $60MM extension that runs through 2025. The 28-year-old is believed to be pushing for a raise on his $13MM 2024 base salary, with $16MM being the receiver’s expected asking price. Sutton also only has $2MM more in guaranteed money coming his way, so the player is presumably seeking some more financial certainty, as well.

The receiver previously reported to Denver’s minicamp, but he kept the door open to a potential training camp holdout. That route would have made Sutton subject to fines, and he wouldn’t have been able to recoup any of that lost value since he’s already attached to a veteran contract.

The former second-round pick hasn’t establish himself as a top-tier WR in the NFL, but he still has put together five 700-plus-yard seasons. He’s been remarkably consistent over the past three years, averaging 60 catches and 792 receiving yards over the span. After hauling in four touchdowns between 2021 and 2022, Sutton caught a career-high 10 scores in 2023. The veteran has seemingly been connected to trade rumors for years, but the wideout has continued to stick around through multiple regimes and multiple QBs.

While the Broncos have time on their hands, there is some merit to keeping Sutton happy while assuring the veteran is locked in beyond the 2025 campaign. The organization already moved on from a trade-rumor mainstay in Jerry Jeudy, which only puts more reliance on Sutton as the top receiver. The team also moved off Russell Wilson and replaced him with first-round QB Bo Nix, so Sutton’s experience will surely come in handy in the upcoming years.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Gallup, Chargers

July 17th, 2024 at 5:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Rumored to be at an impasse with the Broncos regarding his contract, Courtland Sutton said recently he is not certain he will show for training camp. It should be considered more probable than not the seventh-year wide receiver reports due to the hefty fines (at least $50K per day) that would pile up if he skipped. One sign Sutton is a decent bet to resurface in Denver next week: he attended throwing sessions with Jarrett Stidham and Bo Nix recently. An SMU product who grew up near Houston, Sutton was among the pass catchers in attendance at the Stidham-organized workouts, 9News’ Mike Klis notes.

Sutton showing represents a good sign for Denver fans. Though, the 6-foot-4 target missed nearly the entire offseason program — and time to establish a rapport with the first-round QB — before making a minicamp cameo. Sutton, 28, has angled for a raise. He is tied to a four-year, $60MM deal that runs through 2025. Only $2MM of the former Pro Bowler’s $13MM 2024 base salary is guaranteed, though the rest of it will lock in just before Week 1.

Here is the latest from the AFC West:

Checking In On Unresolved WR Situations

July 4th, 2024 at 9:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Wide receiver rumors continue to dominate the NFL’s post-minicamp quiet period. The shift atop the receiver market this offseason has complicated matters for other teams, while multiple clubs are also dealing with players attached to upper-middle-class accords.

With training camps less than a month away, here is a look at where the unresolved wideout situations stand:

Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers

This situation that has generated the most offseason rumors at the position; the 49ers-Aiyuk negotiations have dragged on for months. Progress has been scarce here, to the point Aiyuk requested a meeting to address his value and issues with the 49ers’ tactics during these talks. The Vikings’ Justin Jefferson extension has affected these conversations, with Aiyuk’s camp now seeking a full guarantee near the number ($88.7MM) the Minnesota superstar scored. AAV-wise, Aiyuk’s camp has been connected to pursuing a deal that matches or surpasses the $30.01MM number the Lions reached for Amon-Ra St. Brown. Aiyuk did not show for OTAs or minicamp.

Aiyuk, 26, is due a $14.12MM fifth-year option salary. His next step would be to hold out, risking $50K in per-day fines. The 49ers could waive them, as they did for Nick Bosa, since Aiyuk is on a rookie contract. That separates this situation from a few others here, and it is certainly possible the sides do not come together on a deal. Aiyuk not bringing down his guarantee request would run the risk of that happening.

While Aiyuk expects to be a 49er for a fifth season, the value gulf here — one partially created by the big-ticket deals other WRs have agreed to this offseason — threatens to prevent this situation from concluding smoothly like Deebo Samuel‘s did in 2022. The 49ers guaranteed Samuel $41MM at signing, illustrating how far the team and Aiyuk may be apart. Conversely, an agreement here — with the 49ers preparing for a Brock Purdy payday and having drafted Ricky Pearsall in Round 1 — would point to a 2025 Samuel trade. The 49ers discussed trades involving both their top wideouts, but John Lynch shut down those rumors post-draft.

Amari Cooper, Browns

The two-year Browns contributor joined Aiyuk in skipping minicamp, having seen his Cowboys-constructed contract fall in the pecking order (from second to 20th) due to the market booms of 2022 and 2024. Cooper signed a five-year deal, as the Cowboys prefer longer-term accords, in 2020 and missed out on cashing in as the market soared during the contract’s lifespan. Having played the lead role for a depleted Browns offense during an 11-6 2023 season, Cooper is aiming to score another payday ahead of his age-30 season.

Browns GM Andrew Berry identified Cooper as an extension candidate earlier this offseason, and Kevin Stefanski acknowledged talks have taken place. The Browns certainly had to assume they would be dealing with Cooper on the contract front once they gave trade pickup Jerry Jeudy a $41MM guarantee at signing (sixth among WRs). The ex-Bronco has yet to post a 1,000-yard season. Cooper has seven, though last season marked the older Alabama alum’s first 1,200-yard year.

With Deshaun Watson in Year 3 of a $230MM guaranteed extension, the Browns feature an unusual roster component. If Cooper were to hold out, the Browns would be unable to waive his $50K-per-day fines due to the 2015 first-rounder not being on a rookie contract.

As it stands, Cooper is tied to a $23.78MM cap number. Cleveland could reduce that with an extension, but Cooper’s age offers a slight complication. This does not appear an acrimonious dispute, and the sides are hoping for a pre-training camp resolution.

Tee Higgins, Bengals

This matter appears simpler, as Higgins has signed his $21.82MM franchise tender. Unlike Jessie Bates two years ago, Higgins is obligated to attend camp. The other eight players to receive a franchise or transition tag have signed extensions, each doing so several weeks ago. The Bengals have shown no indications they plan to extend their No. 2 wide receiver before the July 15 deadline, and while Higgins requested a trade, he has acknowledged he expects to remain in Cincinnati for the 2024 season. A trade could occur after the tag deadline, but the Bengals are highly unlikely — after resisting trade interest at the 2023 trade deadline — to move Higgins this year.

The Bengals and Higgins have discussed an extension for more than a year, and a modest offer — well south of $20MM per year — prompted the 6-foot-4 receiver to play out his fourth season. Gunning to dethrone the Chiefs and finish a mission they nearly accomplished in Super Bowl LVI, the Bengals tagged Higgins and are preparing to run back their standout receiver pair for a fourth year. If/once Higgins is tied to the tag this season, the sides cannot restart talks until January 2025. It is unclear if the Bengals would consider re-tagging Higgins next year, but the early word leans against this reality.

Joe Burrow‘s cap number spikes by $17MM between 2024 and 2025, moving past $46MM next year, and the Bengals have a receiver extension earmarked for Ja’Marr Chase. Though, Chase talks will be interesting after Jefferson’s guarantee figures surfaced.

Tyreek Hill, Dolphins

This is a rather unusual situation, but one that reminds of another Dolphins matter from recent years. Hill is tied to a four-year, $120MM extension; that deal runs through 2026. But the future Hall of Famer is already seeking a new contract. Teams rarely accommodate players with three years of team control remaining, due to the precedent it sets, but Hill has shown himself to be one of the top receivers of this era. He has delivered back-to-back first-team All-Pro offerings and has made a significant difference in Tua Tagovailoa‘s development. The Dolphins have not shut Hill down on this matter.

Hill, 30, is believed to have approached the Dolphins about an update before the St. Brown, Jefferson and A.J. Brown deals came to pass, but those contracts intensified the ninth-year veteran’s pursuit. Rather than a push for more guarantees on his current contract, Hill confirmed he is seeking a new deal. Teams are not big on giving back years to players, the Texans’ unusual move to lop three years off Stefon Diggs‘ contract notwithstanding, and agreeing on another extension — with customary guarantees — so soon would make for one of the more interesting decisions in this key chapter in WR history.

Dolphins GM Chris Grier has set a precedent on this front, giving in to Xavien Howard‘s demands for a new contract in 2022 despite being tied to a deal that covered three more seasons. The Dolphins have given Jaylen Waddle a big-ticket extension, one that is structured in a more player-friendly way than Hill’s backloaded $30MM-AAV pact. Signing deals that at the time broke the receiver AAV record, Hill and Davante Adams allowed their respective teams to insert phony final-year salaries — which almost definitely will not be paid out — to inflate the overall value.

No trade rumors have emerged here, as Hill wants to stay in Miami for his career’s remainder. Though, it will be interesting to see what comes out of these talks if the Dolphins decline Hill’s request this year. Hill is attached to a $31.23MM cap number.

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys

The Vikings’ decision to authorize outlier guarantees for Jefferson probably affects the Cowboys most, as Lamb is also a 2020 first-round draftee who has shown himself to be one of the NFL’s best receivers. Lamb, 25, has been the centerpiece of the Cowboys’ passing attack since the team traded Amari Cooper — for salary purposes — in 2022. He is coming off a first-team All-Pro season — the first by a Dallas wideout since Dez Bryant in 2014 — and is tied to a $17.99MM fifth-year option figure. If Lamb does not land a new deal by training camp, he is prepared to follow Zack Martin‘s lead and hold out.

Dormant during the spring, Lamb extension talks are expected to pick up this summer. The Oklahoma alum’s interest in becoming the NFL’s highest-paid wideout veered toward shakier ground for the Cowboys following this offseason’s run of deals. The Cowboys not going through with a Lamb extension last year has certainly cost them, as Lamb’s camp has Jefferson’s guarantees to cite now. Dallas has not guaranteed a receiver more than $40MM at signing and typically holds the line on contracts spanning at least five years. Based on where the WR market has gone in terms of contract length, Lamb’s camp will likely make this a central issue in the sides’ negotiations.

Dallas not pushing this process past the goal line in 2023 has also created a situation in which Lamb and Dak Prescott are in contract years, a window that has opened just as Micah Parsons has become extension-eligible. The Cowboys are expected to first address their quarterback’s deal, which could be a tricky proposition due to Prescott’s tactics during his long-running extension talks earlier this decade, but a Lamb pact coming together by training camp is still in play. The Cowboys’ glut of extension candidates has created one of the more complicated contract situations in recent NFL history.

Courtland Sutton, Broncos

Checking in on a lower tier compared to the above-referenced receiver situations, Sutton continues to push for an update to his Denver deal. The Broncos have their top wide receiver attached to a four-year, $60MM extension that runs through 2025. Although just about every Broncos contract matter is overshadowed by the team’s Russell Wilson mistake, the team did well to lock down Sutton at what became a club-friendly rate during the 2021 season. After Sutton scored 10 touchdowns to help Wilson bounce back — to a degree, at least — in 2023, he has made an effort to secure better terms.

Sutton, 28, is believed to be angling for a raise from his $13MM 2024 base salary. The seventh-year target has been connected to seeking a bump to around $16MM. The Broncos did resolve a Chris Harris impasse by authorizing a raise, but the All-Decade CB was a better player who was in a contract year. Sutton reported to Denver’s minicamp but has not committed to showing up for training camp. Last month, the sides were at a stalemate. Tied to a $17.39MM cap number, Sutton would not be able to recoup any fines for a holdout due to being on a veteran contract.

Trade interest emerged during the draft, and the former second-round pick has regularly resided in departure rumors over the past two years. The Broncos cut the cord on fellow trade-rumor mainstay Jerry Jeudy, which stands to make Sutton more important as the team develops Bo Nix. Though, the Broncos have added a few wideouts on Sean Payton‘s watch. If younger players like Marvin Mims and fourth-round rookie Troy Franklin show promise, it is possible the Broncos revisit Sutton trade talks. Up until Week 1, only $2MM of Sutton’s base salary is guaranteed.

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