Broncos HC Sean Payton Addresses Courtland Sutton Issue as Vets Report

When the studs touch the grass Denver Broncos HQ on Friday to kick off training camp, with veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton expected to be in attendance. Head coach Sean Payton addressed the Sutton issue in his first press conference of the training camp cycle on Tuesday.

“He’ll be here and ready to go,” Payton said of Sutton.

Sutton’s absence from the voluntary portion of the Broncos’ offseason training program was seen as a soft holdout, with reports suggesting he was seeking a modest pay raise.

But when the former Pro Bowler showed up for mandatory mini camp In early June, we learned there was much more to his absence. Sutton underwent ankle surgery in the offseason and with the advice and guidance of the Broncos, he rehabbed and trained in Florida while his teammates went through OTAs.

“I was in Florida rehabbing,” Sutton said on June 11. “As you all know, I had surgery on my ankle last game. I contacted the training staff here and they sent me down to Florida to a guy they agreed with. I worked with him there and got my ankle back together. I had a really good rehab process. Talking to the team, Coach (Payton), they agreed that I could stay there and get my ankle where I wanted it to be so I could eventually get ready for the season.”

What’s happening now on the Broncos beat? Don’t miss any news and analysis! Take a moment, sign up for our free newsletter and receive the latest Broncos news in your inbox every day!

The bottom line is that Sutton is under contract for two more years, through 2025. While he had a productive 2023 campaign under Payton, Sutton’s 10 touchdown catches were the only notable performance he’s had since the Broncos gave him a four-year, $60 million contract extension in 2021.

Sad but true. And it’s not all his fault. At a quarterback-dependent position, Sutton is the loser on Denver’s quarterback carousel. And it took him some time to get back into shape after the ACL tear he suffered in 2020.

Sutton is reportedly looking for more than an increase of $3 millionPerhaps the message Payton wants to convey is that he needs to show up and earn the $13 million salary the Broncos have to pay him this coming season.

Sutton will show up. And if he can provide that security blanket for Bo Nix or whichever quarterback Payton names as the starter, and continue to produce at a WR1 level, then perhaps Sutton’s request for a raise will be granted by the Broncos in the form of another extension.

But for now, the Broncos expect the 28-year-old receiver to show up and fulfill his contract, which begins Friday, July 26.

Follow Mile High Huddle on X And Facebook and subscribe on Youtube for daily Broncos livestream podcasts!