The Broncos last month guaranteed $2 million of Courtland Sutton's contract for 2024, but that has not appeased the veteran wide receiver.
Sutton has not shown up this week at the Centura Health Training Center for voluntary offseason workouts. NFL Media reported Tuesday a source said Sutton is seeking a new contract. Workouts began Monday, and the only portion that is mandatory is a June 11-13 minicamp.
Sutton, who led Denver last season with 59 catches, 772 yards and 10 touchdowns, is on the books to make $13 million with $2 million guaranteed in 2024. The Broncos let pass a March 17 date on which the $2 million became guaranteed if Sutton was still on the roster. He remains under contract for 2025 with a $13.5 million base salary, but none of it is guaranteed.
There has been speculation the Broncos could look to trade or even release Sutton due to his hefty salary-cap numbers of $17.395 million in 2024 and $17.835 million in 2025. If Sutton remains on the roster and does not attend the mandatory minicamp, he would face being fined.
Sutton expressed frustration on social media last month with the Broncos having released quarterback Russell Wilson and safety Justin Simmons and traded wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland. At one point, he put on social media a clip of Will Smith from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” walking around a living room devoid of furniture.
An apparent issue involving Sutton is that, without anything done with his contract, he could remain in limbo with the threat the Broncos could release him at any time before the 2024 opener. If the Broncos were to release Sutton, they would have $9.65 million in dead money on the cap, money that also would include what Sutton previously has gotten in a signing bonus. And they would incur a cap savings of $7.745 million.
However, Jason Fitzgerald of OvertheCap.com said Sutton has offset language in his contract. So if he were to be released and sign a deal with another team, which likely would be for more than $2 million, then the Broncos would be reimbursed the $2 million that has been guaranteed for 2024.
NFL analyst Mark Schereth, a former Broncos star guard, had told The Denver Gazette in early March he "wouldn't be surprised" to see Sutton released that month.
“Courtland had a really good year last year and made some unbelievable big-time catches, but he just lacks overall juice and explosiveness,'' Schlereth said then. "I think you can get that production or close to that production from somebody you’re paying minimum wage to rather than ($13) million.”
The Broncos last month signed highly regarded free-agent receiver Josh Reynolds to help fill the void left by the trade of Jeudy. They also have Tim Patrick returning after he missed the past two seasons due to injuries. And they could select a receiver in the April 25-27 NFL draft.
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