Courtland Sutton Misses Broncos OTAs amid Contract Rumors; Sean Payton Not Concerned

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton was not at the team's voluntary organized team activities on Thursday amid contract talks, per 9 News' Mike Klis.

While Sutton wasn't in attendance, head coach Sean Payton isn't concerned at this point.

"There isn't any concern, here's why," Peyton said. "I know Courtland well. He's a tremendous worker, you guys know, a tremendous makeup, leader of our team. That'll sort itself out."

The news of Sutton's absence comes as the six-year veteran and career Bronco eyes a new contract. Sutton is set to make $13.6 million in 2024, but he's likely looking to up that number after plenty of wide receivers around the league got paid this offseason.

Last week, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Denver and Sutton have made no "real progress" on a new contract, which could have led to him missing OTAs on Thursday. Klis also reported last week that Sutton is working out on his own in Florida this offseason.

Sutton, who received a Pro Bowl nod in 2019 when he had his only 1,000+ receiving-yard season, had 772 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 59 receptions last year. Sutton seemed on his way to being a top receiver in the league after the 2019 season, but a torn ACL in 2020 brought his progress to a halt and he's remained a mid-tier wideout since.

While Sutton is looking for a more lucrative deal, it might be hard for Denver to justify doing so given his lack of progress over the last few years. Whether Sutton is prepared for a holdout during the regular season is still unclear, but Payton seems to be unconcerned about it.