Courtland Sutton is the first high-profile Denver Broncos receiver to be connected to a legitimate holdout scenario in a decade. However, with plenty of examples to draw on, the wide receiver knows how to do it.
In a statement made at mandatory minicamp this week via Mile High Sports, Sutton expressed a desire to stick with the team. He also set sky-high expectations, including a conversation of becoming a dynasty.
“I hope that I am a part of the bigger picture,” Sutton said. “I’ve been told that is what the gameplan is. I’ve also been told some other things. We will see what happens. I hope I am able to be a part of the gameplan. I also don’t see that it will be a soft reset. I’m praying and also working towards and hopefully stay in guys’ ears that this is not going to be a three-year process. We want to win right now. … I don’t see this being a three or four-year process. If it becomes a three or four-year dynasty, then I hope I will be able to be a part of it.”
Of course, aside from the dynasty part, this is a common statement made by players negotiating with their teams. They proclaim they want to stick around, but only if things work out. In other words, they need to see the correct payment for the service they offer. Otherwise, teams are often forced to trade the player.
The Broncos already did so with Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy was sent to the Cleveland Browns for two picks. The Browns then paid Jeudy his lucrative second contract. If things don’t settle between Sutton and Denver, logic dictates that a trade could be a direct result.
Courtland Sutton faces another new quarterback era
Courtland Sutton was originally picked to be a replacement for Demaryius Thomas.
Since his selection in 2018, the Broncos have only had the same quarterback for two of those six seasons. Bo Nix is set to be the team’s sixth leading passer since Sutton was drafted.
For a veteran like Sutton, the constant stream of new quarterbacks can run the risk of stripping one’s patience almost like a stripped screw on a construction project.
Once the same promise is made time after time, players can get burnt out. Sutton said the correct thing in demonstrating confidence in his team’s selection of Nix, but fans can only wonder if his public position is the same as his private thoughts.
While Sutton has turned in some of the highlight catches of the year in multiple years, his total production has left room for improvement. This could be where the Broncos are having trouble with rationalizing a lucrative new contract.
Since getting drafted in 2018, Sutton has earned more than 1000 yards just once. Last season, the wide receiver earned 772 yards, although he scored 10 receiving touchdowns, per Pro Football Reference.
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