Broncos HC Sean Payton Delivers Reality Check Amid Potential Deal for Pro Bowler

The Denver Broncos still have several veterans in the final year of their contracts, with little word on when they will have their situations addressed. That includes Pro Bowl wide receiver Courtland Sutton, one of the Broncos’ longest-tenured players.

Sutton, who turns 30 in December, re-worked his contract into a two-year, $27.5 million deal and attended training camp in 2024 as a show of good faith. He then posted a 1,000-yard campaign.

Sutton has participated since the offseason program this year but remains without a deal.

“Look, there’s a number of guys you’re going to ask me about, a few contracts. They’re all being worked on; something we really would never discuss with you. And those guys are getting work done,” Payton told reporters on July 23.

“There’s been good communication, and I’m just going to leave it at that relative to the specific players.”

Payton expressed similar comments at the combine, but touted Sutton’s value to the Broncos.

“Those discussions will take place [between Broncos general manager George Paton and] Courtland’s representatives,” Payton told media members in February. “We felt like he had a real good season. He’s important to what we’re doing. So all of that will happen in time, and I don’t think now’s the time.”

Broncos Leaving Negotiating Window Open for Several Veterans

The Broncos selected Sutton with the No. 40 overall pick in the 2018 draft. He has endured multiple quarterback and regime changes. However, he could be left waiting as the Broncos sort through all of their vets who need new deals.

Fellow starters John Franklin-Myers, Luke Wattenberg, Nik Bonitto, and Zach Allen are all in similar situations to Sutton, whose attendance at camp raised eyebrows.

Paton has expressed little urgency in getting deals done, noting an open window.

“You’ve seen how we’ve done our business,” Paton told reporters in March. “Typically, let’s get through the draft, and we’ll be open to conversations after the draft and into the summer, and sometimes into the season as well.”

Paton also addressed Sutton specifically when asked at the combine, echoing similar sentiments as Payton.

Still, Sutton remains on an expiring contract.

“Courtland’s one of our guys. Team captain,” the Broncos’ GM said about Sutton in February. “I’ve said this for a couple years in a row: We want him here. We’ll have those discussions at the right time. We’ll meet with his agent here like we always do with all the agents.”

Broncos Unproven Behind Courtland Sutton

Sutton’s best bargaining chip could be that the Broncos have no proven depth behind him on the roster as of July 23. ESPN’s Mike Clay listed the position as the Broncos’ “biggest weakness.”

However, Clay acknowledged the Broncos have several candidates to fill the WR2 role opposite Sutton.

“It’s tough to find a major concern area, so we’ll pick on a unit that still has something to prove,” Clay wrote on July 21. Courtland Sutton (career-high 81 catches last season) is terrific, but it’s yet to be seen who will emerge as a consistent target behind him. The top candidates at WR2 are 2023 second-round pick Marvin Mims Jr. (who finished 2024 strong but was still a part-time player), third-round rookie Pat Bryant, as well as second-year players Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele.”

Free agent tight end Evan Engram will operate as a de facto second option behind Sutton.

Still, the Broncos spent the offseason building up other areas of the roster to better support quarterback Bo Nix in his second season. Keeping Sutton in the mix could prove to be a more significant issue than the Broncos have let on.