Voluntary practices are officially underway, and while there is no official mandate for any individual player to show up, the vast majority arrive all the same. Courtland Sutton, however, is sitting out these practices while he looks for a new contract, and potentially a trade.
A second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Courtland Sutton has been the subject of trade rumors for quite some time. However, once Denver decided to trade Jerry Jeudy instead, most assumed that Sutton would remain with the Broncos for years to come. However, the SMU product has yet to receive an extension and has just $2 million in guaranteed money for the upcoming campaign.
Source confirms WR Courtland Sutton did not report for Broncos' voluntary workouts this week. Sutton is 23rd among WRs in 2024 at $13.6M cash. He was T-4 with 10 TDs in 2023 (and 44th with 772 yds). Has two years left on contract at $13.6M, $14M but only $2M guaranteed. #9sports
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) April 16, 2024
Courtland Sutton Skips Practices, Could Want Trade or New Contract
Now entering his age-29 season, it’s easy to see why Sutton will want to do everything in his power to ensure he receives another payday. Despite his impressive reputation, the wide receiver only has one 1,000-yard season to his name, as he finished last year with 59 receptions for 772 yards. He did, however, score 10 touchdowns with Russell Wilson throwing him the ball, so he can still make big plays downfield and find the endzone.
Courtland Sutton is still a good football player, but the Broncos could trade him, rather than extend him. After taking on a record amount of dead money to part ways with Russell Wilson, Denver is embracing a rebuild. Seeing as Sutton is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, nobody should be too surprised if Sean Payton and company opt for a youth movement. After all, they’ve already parted ways with Jeudy, Wilson, and star safety Justin Simmons, so what’s keeping Sutton around?
Last year when I reported that this staff wasn't as high on Jeudy and Sutton…and was looking to move them was met with pushback everywhere.
Then they tried to move Sutton to the Ravens before the season and did move Jeudy after the season for peanuts.
Will Sutton be a Bronco…
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) April 16, 2024
Possible Trade Destinations
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a glaring need for a second wide receiver and not a lot of money to spend on the position. Courtland Sutton is a natural fit opposite George Pickens, especially since the trade candidate spent the past two years with Russell Wilson. These two have solid chemistry, and adding an old friend like Sutton into the mix should make life easier for the 2013 Super Bowl champion.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have a reliable route runner in Diontae Johnson and a solid intermediate threat in Adam Thielen. If they want to complete their offense, they’ll trade for Courtland Sutton and give Bryce Young a competent deep threat with great perimeter ball skills. While none of these players are individual stars, they all complement each other well and should give Young enough pieces to succeed in 2024.
Baltimore Ravens
Odell Beckham has said his goodbyes, which means that the team must find a new wide receiver. Lamar Jackson had two reliable receivers last year and won MVP honors, so a similar result could happen if the Ravens trade for Courtland Sutton. With Flowers getting open inside and Mark Andrews dominating the seam, Sutton can provide a much-needed outside threat. Baltimore needs as many weapons as they can get if they want to take down Kansas City, and Sutton could be the missing piece to this puzzle.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are going to select either Malik Nabers or Marvin Harrison Jr in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, even with a young superstar, this wide receiver room could still use some help. With Marquise Brown on the Chiefs, somebody will need to provide a veteran presence for this inexperienced room. Courtland Sutton is the ideal trade candidate for the job, as the longtime Bronco has a similar skillset to former Cardinal DeAndre Hopkins. Obviously, Sutton is not as good as Hopkins, but the SMU product can play a similar role and should quickly establish a rapport with Kyler Murray.
Los Angeles Chargers
Would the Broncos ever trade Courtland Sutton to a division rival? It doesn’t seem particularly likely, but the Chargers could easily be the highest bidder. After all, this team has the worst collection of wide receivers in the league and could look for a trade if they miss out on their preferred prospect in the draft. With reports that the team will target an offensive lineman in Round 1, they’re making a gamble that somebody they want will still be on the board in Round 2.
Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing – USA Today Sports
