Courtland Sutton’s Contract Demands: Could the Broncos Receiver Be on the Move?

By Jason Bolton June 12, 2025 09:34

The Denver Broncos face a critical decision this offseason regarding wide receiver Courtland Sutton, whose contract demands and future with the team have sparked intense speculation about whether he could be traded before the 2025 NFL season. Entering the final year of his current deal, Sutton’s situation embodies the classic tension between a player seeking a payday reflective of his production and a franchise balancing salary cap constraints and roster construction.

Sutton signed a four-year, $60.8 million extension in 2021, which included $34.9 million guaranteed and an average annual value of $15.2 million. Now 29 years old and entering his seventh NFL season, Sutton is set to earn a base salary of $14 million in 2025, with a cap hit of $20.2 million. While that figure is substantial, it is modest compared to the current market for top-tier wide receivers, where elite players command upwards of $30 million per year. Sutton’s production, though solid, places him in the category of a strong No. 2 or complementary No. 1 receiver rather than an elite top-five wideout.

Last season, Sutton recorded 81 receptions for 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns, marking his second-best yardage total behind his 2019 campaign. He has led the Broncos in receiving yards in four of the last six seasons and is the only Denver receiver to surpass 1,000 yards twice during that span. Despite this consistency, the Broncos have hesitated to offer a long-term extension that would push Sutton into the upper echelon of receiver salaries.

Contract projections suggest Sutton could command a three-year deal worth approximately $79.7 million, averaging $26.6 million annually, putting him in a salary tier comparable to receivers like Tee Higgins and Jaylen Waddle. However, the Broncos reportedly prefer a shorter-term “two years then we’ll see” type of extension that provides flexibility beyond 2026, reflecting concerns about Sutton’s durability and age as he approaches 30.

Sutton himself has expressed optimism about staying in Denver, stating, “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.” Yet, the Broncos’ front office faces a dilemma: commit significant cap space to Sutton or risk losing him to free agency or via trade.

Adding complexity to the situation is the emergence of younger receivers like Devaughn Vele, a seventh-round pick who impressed during training camp and is seen as a potential heir apparent to Sutton’s role. This development has fueled trade rumors, with some analysts suggesting the Broncos might consider moving Sutton to acquire draft capital or younger assets. A recent trade proposal from Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay even suggested sending Sutton to the New York Jets in exchange for mid-to-late round picks, highlighting the shifting dynamics in Denver’s receiving corps.

The Broncos’ decision will hinge on whether they view Sutton as indispensable to their offense or expendable in a rebuild focused on youth and cap flexibility. Given Sutton’s production and leadership, many believe he still has value as a No. 1 receiver, but the team’s financial strategy and roster priorities will ultimately dictate his fate.

In summary, Courtland Sutton’s contract demands and the Broncos’ cap situation have created a high-stakes scenario that could lead to a blockbuster trade before the 2025 season. While Sutton remains optimistic about his future in Denver, the emergence of younger talent and the team’s financial considerations leave open the possibility that the veteran receiver could be on the move. For Broncos fans, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Sutton remains a cornerstone of Denver’s offense or becomes a key asset in a roster overhaul.