Broncos GM says WR Courtland Sutton is 'in a good place' amid holdout

Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton was among a few players who were a no-show to voluntary workouts this week as he's hoping to get a contract extension this offseason. 

General manager George Paton doesn't seem too worried about his No. 1 wide receiver's holdout to begin the offseason.

"It's 100 percent voluntary," Paton said via Gabriel Parker of the Denver Post. "It's the first week of the offseason program. 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."

Since deciding not to participate in Denver's voluntary offseason program, Sutton has been the subject of several trade rumors, and rightfully so. He has two years left on his four-year, $60 million contract, but only $2 million is guaranteed.

Plus, the Broncos seem to be entering a rebuild after cutting QB Russell Wilson and trading WR Jerry Jeudy to the Browns earlier this offseason.

Sutton, who will turn 29 this season, is unlikely to be part of the team when it's competitive again, which is why many believe it would be smart of Denver to get whatever it can for him.

However, the team doesn't have much wide receiver talent outside Sutton. Josh Reynolds, who just joined the team in free agency, Marvin Mims Jr., a second-round pick in 2023, and Tim Patrick, who tore his Achilles last year, highlight the room.

If the Broncos plan to draft a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft next week, they need to surround the rookie with at least some talent.

Denver is clearly in a difficult spot and may not even know what it wants to do yet. Paton didn't reveal whether the team was negotiating with Sutton.

Paton seemed to stifle trade speculation around Sutton, but he didn't completely rule out the possibility of it happening.

Sutton had 59 catches for 772 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns last season.