Courtland Sutton 'Optimistic' About Broncos Contract Talks Entering 2025 NFL Season

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton says he's "optimistic" about staying in Denver for the rest of his career as contract extension talks with the team continue.

“My team has had a really good conversation with the guys up there in the front office, and I think it’s working in the right direction,” Sutton said, per Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post. “Ultimately, you just want to know you’re working in the right direction. I think they see and have seen what I’ve brought to the team... I’m open and optimistic about the fact that I’ll be able to be here for the rest of my career.”

The 29-year-old is entering the final year of a four-year, $60.1 million extension he signed in 2021. He's set to earn a base salary of $14 million this season and will become a free agent in 2026.

Sutton, a late second-round pick in 2018 out of SMU, is entering his seventh season with the Broncos. Last year, he recorded 1,081 receiving yards on 81 catches with eight touchdowns over 17 games. It marked the second-highest yardage total of his career—just behind his 2019 season when he posted 1,112 yards—and matched his second-most touchdowns in a single season.

The wide receiver skipped Denver's offseason program last year in protest of his contract but is expected to participate this year as extension talks continue.

"The Broncos assured Sutton and his agent Jacob Presser during a meeting last month at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis they would negotiate with them in good faith on a fair contract extension," 9News' Mike Klis reported. "News' It was understood the timing of those talks was expected to come some time after the draft that will be held April 24-26."

"In return, Sutton, who has been elected a team captain by his teammates each of the previous four seasons, offered his show of good faith by saying he would continue to lead from within the building when the Broncos return for offseason workouts," Klis wrote.

According to NBC Sports' Charean Williams, 25 wide receivers are set to make more than Sutton next season, but he is expected to surpass the $20 million mark with a new deal.

Head coach Sean Payton and the Broncos have made it clear they want to keep Sutton long-term, as both sides continue to work through contract negotiations.

"We felt like he had a real good season. He’s important to what we are doing. All of that will happen in time," Payton said on Feb. 25, per Williams.

"Courtland is one of our guys. He’s a team captain. I’ve said this for a couple years in a row, we want him here. We’ll have those discussions at the right time," Payton continued.

Sutton will turn 30 next season, but he’s shown no signs of slowing down, consistently improving his numbers year after year.