ENGLEWOOD, Colo — Courtland Sutton may not have held out of voluntary OTAs with a goal of getting a better incentive package.
But given a choice of nothing or a the possibility of something extra, he took the chance to bet on himself.
The Broncos and Sutton agreed to a revised deal that gives him a chance to make an extra $1.5 million in incentives in 2024. Sutton is due to make $13 million in salary this year -- $2 million on which is guaranteed – and another $500,000 in per game roster bonuses ($29,412 per game).
He also had $200,000 in incentives based on receiving yard thresholds and team improvement. He now has a $1.7 million incentive package.
It’s worth noting Sutton had already collected $30.5 million from the first two years of the four-year contract extension he received midway through the 2021 season.
“It’s good to have him back out here,’’ Broncos’ head coach Sean Payton said Thursday. “He provides leadership as well as a skill set that we like.”
Sutton led the Broncos last year with 59 catches for 772 yards and 10 touchdowns. Given his TDs tied for fourth in the NFL and the receiver financial market exploded this offseason, Sutton and his agent Jacob Presser sought an adjustment on his contract that was to otherwise pay him $13.5 million this year and $14 million in 2025. Again, only $2 million this year and zero dollars next year are guaranteed.
To emphasize the seriousness of his desire, Sutton worked out in Florida and did not participate in the Broncos’ offseason program and 10 OTA practices held from mid-April through early June. With the Broncos breaking in a first-round rookie quarterback in Bo Nix, Sutton’s absence took on heightened significance.
However, Sutton did attend the team’s mandatory minicamp sessions in mid-June to avoid nearly $100,000 in fines.
The Broncos never did budge on the base elements of his contract but will now pay extra if Sutton reaches certain receiving yard thresholds and the team improves. The new arrangement means Sutton’s contract situation is behind him. He did report Tuesday for training camp with the rest of his veteran teammates and participated in both ramp up practices Wednesday and Thursday.
The Broncos’ first full day of camp practice is Friday, with fans watching from the berm.
