Courtland Sutton optimistic the best days of his career are on the horizon

After earning a four-year contract extension, veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton vows to keep chasing greatness and leave an everlasting legacy with the Denver Broncos.

Entering his eighth year in the National Football League with the Denver Broncos, veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton has seen just about everything since being drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Sutton’s time in the Mile High City hasn’t exactly been all sunshine and roses. He has endured multiple head coaches, a half a dozen offensive coordinators, and nearly a dozen quarterbacks. Players come and go, but Sutton’s presence has been a constant for franchise. In fact, the only other player on the roster who was with the team when he was drafted is offensive tackle Garett Bolles.

Those two are last men standing from past regimes. Team leaders that have experienced all the ups and downs over the years. The elder statesmen of the squad—the longest tenured Broncos. Most certainly, it’s been a long journey for the former Southern Methodist standout, who finally experienced a winning season in the NFL for the first time in his career in 2024. After securing a four-year extension, Sutton recently reflected on the past but was mindful and hopeful about the future in Denver.

“It is legacy, being able to be here, signing the contract. The biggest thing for me was being able to be here and bring back the years that Broncos fans have known. The organization has such a long historic tradition of being successful. You all know that I’ve been here through the thick and the thin,” stated Sutton.

It seems like it was only yesterday when #14 was learning the ropes in his first training camp. He had the privilege of playing alongside veteran wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas as a rookie. But prior to the trade deadline, one of his first mentors was on the way out—as John Elway traded Thomas to the Houston Texans—officially confirming Sutton as the franchise’s heir at the X position.

Following in the footsteps of a franchise legend is never easy. Though early on his career, the veteran wideout made the most of his opportunities and showed flashes of greatness. After an impressive rookie campaign, Sutton put together a Pro-Bowl season in 2019 reeling in 72 catches for 1,112 yards and 6 touchdowns. Those are great numbers with a stable quarterback situation, but he achieved that catching passes from three different starting quarterbacks—Joe Flacco, Drew Lock, and Brandon Allen.

With that banner year in ‘19, fans across Broncos Country were bullish on Sutton’s potential entering his third season. Some thought he could be as impactful as Thomas was during his stellar career. And that’s when the first fork in the road happened for Sutton. The 2020 season presents the major ‘What If?’ scenario of his career. If he hadn’t torn his ACL against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, he could have had a special season.

With the coaching changes and revolving door at quarterback, Sutton struggled to hit his stride post-injury and never became the dominant receiver some had hoped for. Though with Head Coach Sean Payton leading the franchise, Sutton has experienced a resurgence. Over the past two seasons, his performance has improved, and he has become a team leader and mentor for the franchise’s young wide receiver corps.

“He’s one of those guys. He’s been a captain. If he didn’t say a word, the young guys watch his preparation and his work ethic. Yet obviously his experience with all of those players. It really starts with his preparation in the building and on to the field. He’s everything you want in a pro,” remarked Payton.

In his last 33 games, Sutton has been a highlight reel with dazzling and clutch catches, notching 140 receptions for 1,883 yards, and 18 touchdowns. Despite a slow start to his ‘24 campaign, he was Bo Nix’s most trusted and reliable target down the stretch. When you crunch the numbers, he was one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in the last half of season. Slated to be Nix’s top receiver again in 2025, the savvy veteran believes the best moments of his career are year to come.

While Sutton may be approaching 30 years of age, it’s quite possible his eighth season might wind up being the best of his career yet. Continuity with Payton, Nix, and the rest of the offense are key reasons for optimism. But above all else, his diligence, confidence, work ethic, and approach to improving his craft each day will give him a great shot at making that a reality.

“There’s a lot of promise on the other side of the horizon here. To be able to be here and have more years of being able to chase greatness with this great team that we have, and with this great organization, that was one thing I was looking forward to,” Sutton added.