Courtland Sutton's Instagram Post Creates Anxiety Among Broncos Fans
The Denver Broncos enter the 2024 offseason projected to be $30 million above the salary cap. Even if the Broncos weren't staring down the barrel of a record dead-money cap hit via a probable Russell Wilson release, they'd still be in a precarious financial situation that will necessitate some tough decisions.
The Russ circumstances only make it worse.
There will be players the team approaches to restructure their deals in order to create cap space. There are some candidates for an extension, like Justin Simmons, which would lower the 2024 cap hit by creating more years on the term of the deal, allowing the Broncos to defer money into the future.
Then there are those Broncos veterans who could straight-up be cut to create cap space, and Over The Cap recently listed wide receiver Courtland Sutton on its list of top-100 cap-casualty candidates this offseason. But Sutton has two years left on his deal, so where does that leave him?
One of Sutton's latest Instagram posts saw the veteran wideout in a reflective, grateful mood, and some Broncos fans interpreted it as a possible preemptive farewell (see the fan comments under his post).
"Broncos country I’m very grateful to be able to have finished off another season here in Denver. Unfortunately we weren’t able to accomplish our main goal. I’m still grateful for all my teammates and support staff that have been riding with me all season. I know all things happen for a reason and I trust my Gods plans over everything including whatever is next for me. Just know I gave everything to this team and organization every time I stepped on that field. All Love 14.
It's worth noting that one of the images Sutton opted to use in his post included Wilson. Playing a quarterback-dependent position, Sutton posted lackluster numbers in 2020 and 2021 amid the Broncos' musical chairs at the position.
Wilson arrived in 2022, and while Sutton's numbers that year weren't anything to write home about, the veteran QB force-fed him the ball, especially early on. It took a little time for the Wilson/Sutton chemistry to form, but it finally coalesced in 2023.
Sutton posted a career-high 10 touchdown receptions. Were it not for his lack of yardage, which was due to the Broncos' run-first offensive philosophy and some inconsistencies on Wilson's part, Sutton's yardage would have been much better.
The concussion Sutton suffered in Week 16 didn't help. But he still finished with 59 receptions (on a team-high 90 targets) for 772 yards and the 10 scores.
While Sutton had a chance at 1,000, it didn't come together, which kept him out of the Pro Bowl. He did receive some All-Pro votes, though not enough to officially be selected.
With Wilson's situation up in the air and his tenure in Denver likely coming to an end, the 28-year-old Sutton is unsure of what the future holds for him. However, I'd have to guess that, considering his production and the fact that he has two years left on his deal, the Broncos plan to keep him around.
But it is the NFL. Anything could happen.
Sutton was the Broncos' second-round pick back in 2018. He earned Pro Bowl honors in Year 2, totaling 1,100-plus yards and six touchdowns despite catching passes from three different starting QBs that year.
The next season, tragedy struck, as Sutton tore his ACL in Week 2 of the 2020 campaign. He returned to the field in 2021, but it took him some time to get his game legs beneath him again.
While Sutton showed flashes in the years since his knee injury, this past season was the first time he looked like the same Pro Bowler from his second year. Wilson had a lot to do with that, trusting him enough to make one highlight-reel vertical throw after another in his direction. Sutton came down with those balls often, hence the double-digit touchdowns.
It was great to see.
The Broncos are likely to have a new starting quarterback in 2024, which means that Sutton will have to start over chemistry-wise once again. That's a daunting thought for a veteran wideout fated to live on the quarterback carousel for most of his career.
But if any incumbent Broncos receiver is getting traded, it's probably Jerry Jeudy. Sutton is scheduled to make $13 million in 2024 and $13.5 million in 2025. As a bonafide WR1, that's a relative bargain. Sutton is the 20th-highest-paid receiver in the NFL.
The Broncos are in troubled financial waters, though. That's the caveat.
So while I might foresee Sutton sticking around, it's understandable if he might be feeling a little less sure about his future. And considering how he just posted his sixth losing season in as many years with the Broncos, plus the quarterback uncertainty, it's possible he might not be opposed to moving on one way or another.
Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.
Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!
