WR for the Broncos is expected to get a $35 million contract.
With two years left on his four-year, $60.8 million contract extension that he signed in March 2021, star wide receiver Courtland Sutton of the Denver Broncos is playing a game of contractual chicken with the team.
On June 3, the Minnesota Vikings signed Justin Jefferson, their star wide receiver, to a 4-year, $140 million contract deal with $110 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. This move may have given Sutton a boost in his pursuit of more money.
The impact of Jefferson’s contract on the NFL wide receiver market was forecast by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. Knox believes the Broncos will ultimately meet Sutton’s wish by offering him a two-year, $35 million contract extension with a $25 million guarantee.
Knox stated, “Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton is a tier or two below every other player on this list. His lone 1,000-yard campaign came back in 2019.” But he needs to be brought up because he hasn’t participated in offseason training in an attempt to secure a new deal. Denver’s top receiver isn’t genuinely vying for No. 1 receiver money, which is good news for the team as it develops rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
Only Trustworthy Wide Receiver on Broncos Roster Is Sutton
After being selected by the Broncos out of SMU in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft (at pick No. 40 overall), Sutton is beginning his seventh season in Denver.
Sutton made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2019 and recorded his only 1,000-yard receiving season with 72 receptions for 1,112 yards and 6 touchdowns. That also happens to be the last time any player on the Denver roster had more than 1,000 receiving yards, which is unfortunate for the Broncos.
After rupturing his ACL, Sutton missed all but one game of the 2020 campaign. However, he recovered, recording over 50 receptions and 700 receiving yards in each of the previous three seasons.
Sutton had exceptional skill in 2023, hauling in 59 passes for 772 receiving yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns.
It’s also important to note that the Broncos have started ten different quarterbacks over Sutton’s seven NFL seasons.
Veteran Experience Is Needed by the Broncos to Aid Rookies
The Broncos are in rebuilding mode, selecting wide receiver Troy Franklin in the fourth round (No. 102 overall) and rookie quarterback Bo Nix (No. 12 overall) in the 2024 first round. Both players would gain a great deal from having a veteran like Sutton around to help them navigate head coach Sean Payton’s offense.
Jarrett Stidham, who started two games for the Broncos in 2023, and Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2021 who has started 12 games out of 21 for the New York Jets in the previous three seasons, are presently vying with Nix for the starting quarterback job.
The Broncos would benefit from having Sutton on the field and collaborating with Nix, so an extension might not be too far off, Knox wrote. Josh Reynolds and rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin were added by Denver this offseason, but Sutton ought to remain a vital component of the offense. Sutton is contracted until the 2020–21 season, so giving him another year would make sense financially and practically.
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