Courtland Sutton and the Broncos worked out a short-term contract arrangement last year, but the matter of an extension has remained a talking point this offseason. That may change in the near future. 
When speaking to the media on Monday, head coach Sean Payton said (via Bleacher Report’s James Palmer) a Sutton extension should be in place “soon.” Both Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post and NFL insider Jordan Schultz have offered reports of considerable progress being made with respect to contract talks.
Sutton’s involvement in training camp has varied so far, Mike Klis of 9News notes. The 29-year-old has largely been a non-participant in team drills so far, although Parker adds team and player have an agreement in place regarding his workload. That is, of course, another strong indication a new deal could be in place shortly.
Sutton’s future has been a talking point for quite some time now, with a trade receiving strong consideration in the 2023 offseason. The Pro Bowler nevertheless managed to remain in place with Payton taking over in a receiver room which lost Jerry Jeudy via trade last year. Sutton enjoyed a strong first campaign working alongside rookie quarterback Bo Nix, recording a career-high 81 receptions along with 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns.
That production helped the former second-rounder’s case for another multi-year pact, one which would eliminate the possibility of a free agent departure next spring. Sutton and the Broncos targeted 2025 as the time for such a deal to be worked out. An extension could offer a raise up front compared to the $14MM he is owed while also lowering his scheduled $20.2MM cap charge.
Despite a mutual interest between team and player to hammer out an extension, Sutton was reported to have fallen behind edge rusher Nik Bonitto and defensive linemen Zach Allen in the pecking order regarding new Broncos commitments. Neither of those two have a deal in place, although a number of discussions on the Bonitto front in particular have taken place. Checking off one box in the form of a Sutton extension would, in any case, set Denver up for stability at the receiver spot as Nix plays out his rookie contract.
The Broncos have taken the draft route several times in recent years to add receivers to complement Sutton. Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant will all be counted on to provide value in the passing game in 2025 and beyond. Given Nix’s strong connection with Sutton, though, it would come as no surprise if another long-term commitment were to be made. $15MM represented the average annual value the last time that was the case for the SMU product, but with the position now featuring nine players attached to an AAV of $30MM or more, a raise will no doubt be in store if/when a pact is officially in place.