The Denver Broncos are on cloud nine following a breakout 2024 season that culminated in their first postseason berth since their Super Bowl 50 victory. At the heart of that success was a reenergized Courtland Sutton. He reestablished himself as a bona fide No. 1 receiver and developed an electrifying chemistry with rookie Quarterback Bo Nix. With Sutton in the final year of his contract, the Broncos are making moves to ensure he’s a part of their long-term future. Both parties are giving positive indications early.
Sutton has made it publicly known that he wants to stay in Denver, and the Broncos have been just as eager. Extension talks are ongoing, and for a franchise that’s finally building something sustainable, locking up a building block like Sutton seems like the logical next step.
Sutton, Broncos Extension Talks Gaining Momentum
This offseason has been different than the last. In 2024, Sutton skipped voluntary OTAs while negotiating a pay bump, which he eventually received in the form of a restructuring on the very eve of camp. Now, with the 29-year-old entering a contract year, he’s singing a different tune—one of mutual optimism and long-term commitment.
“My team has had a really good conversation with the guys up there in the front office, and I think it’s working in the right direction,” Sutton recently told The Denver Post. “Ultimately, you just want to know you’re working in the right direction… I’m open and optimistic about the fact that I’ll be able to be here for the rest of my career.”
Sutton is reportedly seeking a deal in the range of $20 million annually. A reasonable price for an upper-tier veteran receiver coming off a 1,000-yard season. He is scheduled to earn $13.5 million in 2025 on the final year of a four-year, $60.1 million deal he signed in 2021. As much as the bump in salary might seem extreme, the market for receivers in Sutton’s tier has only grown in recent years.
Broncos GM George Paton has been nothing but complimentary of Sutton calling him a cornerstone of the franchise and stating that extension talks will ramp up after the NFL Draft—when the front office typically shifts to addressing internal matters. Paton signed players like Patrick Surtain II and Garett Bolles in the summer or even in-season, so there is a precedent for an extension being agreed upon well before Sutton hits free agency.
Another factor working in Sutton’s favor is Nix’s rookie contract. With their quarterback on a cheap contract for the foreseeable future, the Broncos can offer cap space to pay veteran contributors without hurting their long-term salary cap situation. It’s the perfect time to invest in a leader like Sutton. Especially when his presence makes life easier on your young franchise QB.
A Career Defined by Loyalty and Durability
Sutton has been one of the lone constants in a Broncos organization that’s endured its share of chaos during the past six years. Sutton was drafted in 2018 and quickly established himself as a true threat, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2019 with nearly 1,200 yards despite being forced to catch passes from three quarterbacks. Catastrophe struck in 2020, though, when Sutton tore his ACL in Week 2—wrecking what seemed like the beginnings of a star-level career.
He returned in 2021, but the quarterback and coaching instability in Denver made it hard for Sutton to recapture his early form. From 2021 to 2023, he averaged just under 800 yards per season. But in 2024, with the arrival of Nix, everything clicked.
Sutton finished the year with career-bests in targets (135) and receptions (81), along with 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns. He led the team in receiving by over 500 yards and was Nix’s go-to target in nearly every clutch situation. More than statistics, though, he was a tone-setter—a veteran who helped lead a young team back into the postseason spotlight.
In seven Denver seasons, Sutton has totaled 5,340 receiving yards, 32 touchdowns, and 379 catches. And perhaps more importantly than any of that, he’s emerged as a team captain and locker room leader—a player whose impact is felt well beyond the stats sheet.
Final Thoughts
Courtland Sutton has established himself as a foundation piece of the Broncos’ offense and locker room. With Bo Nix looking like the real deal, making his go-to target happy and in-house should be a top priority. If Denver wants to build something sustainable, extending Sutton is a no-brainer.
