Surprising Trade Proposal Suggests Moving Broncos’ $60 Million WR to NFC East
The Denver Broncos’ star wide receiver, Courtland Sutton, is seeking a pay raise and has hinted that he might skip training camp if his demands aren’t met. A potential solution to this issue has been proposed by Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, suggesting a trade that would send Sutton and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys. In return, the Broncos would receive a conditional Day 2 pick in 2025 and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Sutton is currently under a four-year, $60.8 million contract extension signed in November 2021, which includes salaries of $13.6 million in 2024 and $14 million in 2025. Although Sutton hasn’t surpassed 1,000 receiving yards since his Pro Bowl season in 2019, he remains the last Bronco to achieve this milestone in either rushing or receiving yards.
Gary Davenport noted the improbability of such a trade but highlighted the Cowboys’ strong commitment to the 2024 season. He pointed out that Dallas has potential needs at running back and wide receiver, which could hinder their chances of repeating as NFC East champions. Sutton would be a significant addition as a WR2 alongside CeeDee Lamb, especially if the Cowboys’ offense needs to rely more on quarterback Dak Prescott due to uncertainties at the running back position.
Implications of Trading Courtland Sutton
If the Broncos are considering tanking the 2024 season to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, trading Sutton might be a strategic move. Sutton is currently Denver’s most reliable receiver, and without him, the team could struggle significantly, especially with rookies Bo Nix, Zach Wilson, and Jarrett Stidham competing for the starting quarterback role.
Entering his seventh season with the Broncos, Sutton was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft from SMU. Despite playing with 10 different starting quarterbacks, he has consistently managed at least 50 receptions and 700 receiving yards in each of the past three seasons. In 2023, Sutton led the team with 59 receptions, 772 receiving yards, and a career-high 10 touchdowns.
The Booming Market for Elite Wide Receivers
The value of NFL wide receivers has surged, as evidenced by recent lucrative contracts. Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson set a new benchmark with a four-year, $140 million contract extension, including $110 million guaranteed. Similar deals are expected for other top receivers like Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase and Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb.
In the months before Jefferson’s deal, significant extensions were also signed by Philadelphia Eagles’ A.J. Brown (three years, $96 million) and Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown (four years, $120 million). This trend in high-value contracts could work in Sutton’s favor as he negotiates for more money.
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