Courtland Sutton, a wide receiver, should provide a safe haven for the starting quarterback next season. However, Sutton elected to forgo voluntary offseason workouts in April, sparking trade speculation.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay suggested that the Broncos move Sutton to the Pittsburgh Steelers to reconnect with former starter Russell Wilson.
“Courtland Sutton could be one of Pittsburgh’s priority targets in the post-draft trade market,” Kay said in his May 7 story. “Sutton’s name has appeared in the rumour mill frequently in recent years, and a move could materialize now that the Broncos are working to free up cap space and start fresh in wake of their immensely expensive decision to part ways with Wilson earlier in the offseason.”
In this hypothetical deal, Denver would acquire a 2025 third-round pick and a 2025 sixth-round pick. Given league rumours, Sutton’s departure from the Mile High City would come as no surprise.
On April 27, Jarrett Bailey of USA Today revealed that the Steelers were one of two teams interested in Sutton around the 2024 NFL draft. If Sutton landed in Pittsburgh, Kay believed Wilson would be well-positioned to succeed on the Broncos’ dime.
“Given the signal-caller is entering his age-36 campaign and hasn’t reached a Pro Bowl since 2021, it’s well worth giving up future assets to maximize the small window the team has with Wilson under centre,” Kay stated.
Sutton experienced a brief resurgence Catching passes from Wilson
Broncos fans will likely not recall the Wilson era fondly, but Sutton could.
In 2023, the veteran receiver experienced a brief career resurgence, catching receptions from the Steelers’ anticipated starter. Last season, Sutton tied for third in the NFL with a career-high 10 touchdown receptions.
Sutton and Wilson were unstoppable, with the wideout catching a touchdown in five straight games from Weeks 6 to 11. He caught fire as the Broncos were on a five-game winning streak.
Sutton had only 14 touchdown receptions in his first five seasons leading up to 2023. Sutton is aiming for his second 1,000-yard season, having amassed 1,112 yards in 2019.
The question is whether Sutton will replicate his career season with the Broncos or another team next season.
The Broncos will see Wilson and the Steelers in 2024.
Revenge is typically best served cold, so will Wilson get it against the Broncos next season? Will Sutton join in the festivities?
During the 2024 regular season, Wilson will return to Denver dressed in black and gold. Members of Broncos Country are unlikely to warmly welcome the great quarterback.
Between 2022 and 2023, the nine-time Pro Bowler was 11-19 in 30 starts for the Broncos. Wilson never found his footing in Denver, even working with veteran head coach Sean Payton in his second season.
In 2023, Wilson had a 26-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio but only 204.7 passing yards per game. Wilson also threw for fewer than 200 yards in eight of his fifteen starts last season.
Time will tell if Payton made the proper decision to replace Wilson with Jarrett Stidham or rookie first-round pick Bo Nix.
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