Broncos rework star WR’s contract, stabilizing his future

The Denver Broncos ended their contract stalemate with star wide receiver Courtland Sutton on Thursday.

Per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, the Broncos signed 28-year-old Sutton to a restructured contract that could pay him up to $15.2M this upcoming season, including $1.5M in new incentives.

Two years remain on Sutton’s four-year deal, but he only has $2M in guaranteed salary over the next two seasons.

Although the former Pro Bowler reported to training camp on Tuesday, he skipped OTAs and indicated he was seeking more security at mandatory minicamp.

“We’ll see what happens. We’ve got a month for things to get situated,” Sutton said, via Arnie Melendrez Stapleton of the Associated Press. “Hopefully, things get situated because, you know … this is where I want to be. This is home. This is where I want to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. This is the place where I want to be able to retire. This is the place where I want to be in the Broncos’ Ring of Honor.”

Sutton’s deal doesn’t contain guaranteed money in 2025, so both parties may negotiate again next offseason. However, the revised contract should satisfy the WR and quell trade rumors. Before the NFL Draft, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Pittsburgh Steelers were “a team to watch” if the Broncos moved him.

Keeping Sutton seems like a wise choice for Denver. In 16 games last season, he tied for fourth in the league in touchdown catches (10) and finished with 59 receptions for 772 yards.

Denver also traded former first-round WR Jerry Jeudy (Cleveland Browns) in March, so moving on from a talented pass-catcher wouldn’t make sense.

More importantly, Sutton should make life easier for Denver’s next starting quarterback. Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson and rookie Bo Nix are competing for the starting job after the Broncos released Russell Wilson this offseason.

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