ENGLEWOOD – If the Broncos are concerned about the status of Courtland Sutton, they’re not letting on to it.
Sutton has not shown up to voluntary offseason workouts, which began Monday. And NFL Media reported Tuesday that the wide receiver is seeking a new contract.
“It’s 100 percent voluntary,’’ general manager George Paton said Thursday at the Centura Health Training Center when asked about Sutton. “It’s the first week of the offseason program (Head coach Sean Payton has) talked to Courtland. I’ve talked to Courtland. He’s in a good place and we’ll just leave it at that.”
There has been plenty of speculation that Sutton could be traded or even released. He has two years left on his contract with base salaries of $13 million in 2024 and $13.5 million in 2025, but the only guaranteed money he has is $2 million this year.
Sutton has offset language in his contract. So if he were to be released and signs with another team for $2 million or more, the Broncos would be reimbursed his full $2 million guarantee.
Sutton led Denver last season with 59 catches, 772 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, it remains to be seen if the Broncos, who have a tight salary cap due to taking on $52 million in dead money on released quarterback Russell Wilson, want to end up paying Sutton $13 million for 2024. And if he indeed wants a new contract, Sutton obviously would want some more guaranteed money.
Payton said the Broncos have had all players report for voluntary workouts with the exception of “two or three individuals.” He did not name any specific players but said he has “talked to all” who have been absent.
“It’s not football right now, it’s getting our bodies (right),’’ Payton said of the early stages of the offseason program. “I don’t want them when they pull into the parking lot feeling like they’re coming to practice. It’s April. I want them to feel like they’re coming to get in shape and to take care of their bodies.”
Seeking defensive players
While much of the talk about the Broncos entering the April 25-27 draft has to do with their quest for a quarterback, Payton made note of some other positions of need.
“You’re always looking for corners and edge (rushers),’’ he said.
Payton said the Broncos like the group of cornerbacks they have but are “always looking to add” there. With Fabian Moreau remaining an unsigned free agent, the Broncos don’t have a sure-fire starter at the outside spot opposite Pro Bowler Patrick Surtain II.
At edge rusher, Payton said he likes what the Broncos have in Nik Bonitto, Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper and said Drew Sanders could end up being an outside rather inside linebacker. But the coach stressed that edge rushers are at a premium in the draft.
“They’re hard to find,’’ he said. “If someone falls in your lap you’re going to take them.”
Taylor visits Broncos
Air Force safety Trey Taylor, who won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2023 for being the nation’s top defensive back, said he took a top-30 draft visit to the Broncos on Monday.
The Canucks had their two-game win streak halted and closed out their last five games with a record of 3-1-1.
“It was really good. … It definitely wasn’t a waste of time,’’ Taylor said.
Taylor said Payton was not on hand for the meeting but that Paton and other key members of the team were there in preparation for the draft. Taylor is well aware that the Broncos, who last month released star safety Justin Simmons and won’t have Delarrin Turner-Yell throughout spring drills because of a torn ACL suffered last December, could use depth at safety.
“I’m ready for whatever happens,’’ he said.
New kickoff rules
Payton has been paying plenty of attention to the new kickoff rules and what the Broncos must do to take advantage of them.
“We’re going to put (return blockers) 10 yards away,’’ Payton said. “I think certainly you could see probably a little heavier unit there. It’s certainly going to put a premium on your two returners, because you have to have two. … (They) have to be able to field these kicks cleanly.’’
Payton said it helps that the Broncos have a “good returner” in wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. They also have a solid second returner in cornerback Tremon Smith.
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