The Denver Broncos released quarterback Russell Wilson and safety Justin Simmons and traded wide receiver Jerry Jeudy this spring. Denver also lost center Lloyd Cushenberry during free agency.
Signs point to the Broncos entering a rebuilding stage, at least on offense. Meanwhile, wide receiver Courtland Sutton is unhappy with his contract. Sutton wants to stick around, and if he does, he does not believe the team will be entering rebuild mode, despite appearances.
“I hope that I am a part of the bigger picture,” Sutton said on June 11. “I’ve been told that is what the game plan 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 game plan. 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.
“Whoever winds up coming out [at quarterback], if it is Bo [Nix], if it is [QB] Jarrett [Stidham] or if it is Zach [Wilson], whoever winds up coming out will give us the best chance to win. I think with Bo being a young guy and a guy they took really high, I understand the politics of the game and everyone is rooting for him to be the guy. I think he does a lot of things really well and I think he has the ability to go out and have success early. 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.”
That’s a good mentality for Sutton to have — it’s exactly what coaches and fans want to hear — but it might not be realistic. If Nix does end up winning the starting job as projected, he will have to go through some rookie growing pains this fall. Sutton is set to turn 29 this season and he has just one year left on his contract after the 2024 season.
Whether the players want to admit it or not, the Broncos are already in rebuild mode. It remains to be seen how quickly the team can get back on track. Sutton wants to be a part of the process — if the price is right. We’ll see if the two sides can work out an agreement before training camp begins in July.
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