Broncos star WR expected to sign $35 million deal
The Denver Broncos are playing contractual chicken with star wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who is sitting out OTAs despite having two years remaining on his four-year, $60.8 million deal extension inked in March 2021.
Sutton’s desire for more money may have received a lift on June 3 when the Minnesota Vikings signed their top wide out, Justin Jefferson, to a 4-year, $140 million contract extension with $110 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.
According to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, Jefferson’s contract might have an impact on the NFL wide receiver market, and the Broncos will eventually give Sutton’s demand with a two-year, $35 million contract extension with $25 million in guarantees.
“Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton, whose lone 1,000-yard campaign came back in 2019, is a tier or two below every other player on this list,” Knox stated. “However, he must be mentioned because he has skipped offseason exercises in an attempt to secure a new deal. The good news for Denver, which is trying to develop rookie quarterback Bo Nix, is that its top receiver isn’t looking for No. 1 receiver money.
Sutton is the only reliable wide receiver on the Broncos’ roster.
Sutton is in his eighth season with the Broncos, who chose him in the second round (No. 40 overall) of the 2018 NFL draft from SMU.
In 2019, Sutton recorded his only 1,000-yard receiving season, with 72 receptions for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns, and he also made his only Pro Bowl appearance. Unfortunately for the Broncos, it also marks the last time anyone on the Denver roster had more than 1,000 receiving yards.
Sutton missed all but one game of the 2020 season after injuring his ACL, but he has rebounded with over 50 receptions and 700 receiving yards in each of the last three years.
Sutton was extremely impressive in 2023, recording 59 receptions for 772 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns.
It’s also worth noting that throughout Sutton’s seven seasons in the NFL, the Broncos had ten different starting quarterbacks.
Broncos need experienced veterans to help rookies.
The Broncos are rebuilding with a rookie quarterback in 2024 first-round pick Bo Nix (No. 12 overall) and another potential starter in the fourth round (No. 102 overall) in wide receiver Troy Franklin — two players who would benefit greatly from having a veteran like Sutton around to help guide them through the intricacies of head coach Sean Payton’s offense.
Nix is now competing for the starting quarterback position alongside Jarrett Stidham, who started two games for the Broncos in 2023, and 2021 No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson, who went 12-21 as a starter for the New York Jets over the previous three seasons.
“Getting Sutton on the field and working with Nix would be beneficial to the Broncos, so an extension could be on the not-too-distant horizon,” Knox stated. “Denver added Josh Reynolds and rookie wideout Troy Franklin this offseason, but Sutton should remain an important piece of the offensive puzzle.” An extension for Sutton, who is under contract until next season, should not be too expensive and would make good sense.”
