NFL Rumors: Courtland Sutton, Broncos Haven't Made 'Real Progress' on Contract Talks

The Denver Broncos and wide receiver Courtland Sutton have yet to make "real progress" on a new contract, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler reported Saturday on SportsCenter that negotiations between the Broncos and Sutton's representatives remain ongoing.

Mike Klis of 9News in Denver wrote earlier in the week how the 2019 Pro Bowler is not with Denver and working out on his own in Florida, thus "sending a message to the team he'd like a reworked contract."

If you're a wideout, now is a good time to push for a new contract because the market is exploding, and it goes beyond the elite players at the position now eclipsing $30-plus million a year.

Jerry Jeudy, Sutton's former teammate in the Mile High City, got a three-year, $52 million extension following his trade to the Cleveland Browns after what were four unremarkable seasons with the Broncos.

Fowler speculated Sutton could be looking to slightly pad his 2024 earnings. Whereas he's due to collect $13.6 million in cash, he may try to bump that up to $15 million or $16 million.

Two things are working against the 28-year-old, though.

Sutton is signed through the 2025 season, so Denver doesn't face an imminent threat of him leaving next offseason or plausibly continuing a holdout into Week 1 this year. His performance hasn't provided a compelling reason for the team to be aggressive in negotiations, either.

The 6'4" pass-catcher hasn't been the same player since suffering a torn ACL in 2020. From 2021 on, he has 181 receptions for 2,377 yards and 14 touchdowns in 48 appearances. That averages out to 64 receptions and 842 over a 17-game season.

For now, Sutton will occupy a key role in the passing game. Josh Reynolds is the biggest veteran addition to the receiving corps and the team waited until the third day of the NFL draft to address the position, selecting Oregon's Troy Franklin and Utah's Devaughn Vele.

The Broncos front office may nonetheless feel comfortable about letting Sutton play out 2024 on his current salary before weighing up all of its options next spring.