ENGLEWOOD, Colo — If Courtland Sutton is frustrated -- and he apparently is based on his non participation in the Broncos' offseason program - there are reasons to sympathesize.
He just watched many of his fellow longtime teammates leave the Broncos' locker room this spring, core players like Justin Simmons, Josey Jewell, Lloyd Cushenberry III, fellow receiver Jerry Jeudy and quarterback Russell Wilson.
Jeudy has been by and large the Broncos' No. 2 receiver to Sutton's No. 1, yet Jeudy just got a three-year, $58 million contract extension from the Cleveland Browns that includes a whopping $41 million guaranteed.
Sutton has two years left on his deal with the Broncos that is to pay him $13.6 million in 2024 (23rd among receivers) and $14 million in 2025. But only $2 million of that money is guaranteed.
Moreover, Sutton has been trying to produce as a receiver with a myriad of head coaches, offensive coordinators and quarterbacks since he was the Broncos' second-round draft pick in 2018.
His starting quarterbacks since then: Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Brandon Allen, Drew Lock, Jeff Driskell, Teddy Bridgewater, Russell Wilson, Brett Rypien and Jarrett Stidham.
His head coaches since 2018: Vance Joseph, Vic Fangio, Nathaniel Hackett and Sean Payton.
His offensive coordinators: Bill Musgrave, Rich Scangarello, Pat Shurmur, Justin Outten and Joe Lombardi.
Sources confirmed to 9NEWS that Sutton did not attend the first day of the Broncos' offseason conditioning program Monday and is not expected to return any time soon. Sutton has been working out in Florida, where he is also rehabilitating from a minor ankle surgery he underwent after the season, sources tell 9NEWS. Sutton suffered the injury in the third quarter of the final game of the 2023 season at Las Vegas.
He also essentially missed the 15th and 16th games of the season with a concussion but still Sutton finished tied for fourth in the NFL with 10 touchdown receptions -- three in spectacular fashion.
The team nor Sutton seem concerned the ankle procedure will affect his season. As proof, the Broncos picked up his $2 million option guarantee in March.
As for giving Sutton a new contract, the Broncos have reason to balk.
For one, money is tight after their decision to eat $39 million of Wilson's salary in 2024, which also meant absorbing $53 million in dead-cap space -- 21% of the team's payroll. The Broncos just went through one of its quietest offseasons in recent memory with no big free-agent signings. (Safety Brandon Jones got the biggest deal at $20 million over three years).
Two, once the team is freed up to spend again, it will likely prioritize giving first-time contract extensions to Pat Surtain II and Quinn Meinerz.
Three, after the Broncos gave Sutton a four-year, $60 million contract extension midway through the 2021 season, his initial production was modest.
The offseason program through OTAs is considered voluntary under the collective bargaining agreement so Sutton could sit out without penalty until the mandatory minicamp June 11-13, at which point the team can fine him $16,953 for missing the first day; $33,908 for the second day missed and $50,855 for a third unexcused absence.
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