Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers had the entire league wondering whether the wide receiver would be traded or simply sign a contract extension. Several teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Washington Commanders, have expressed interest in Aiyuk through trade talks. After the 49ers formally signed him to a contract extension, news surfaced that a three-team trade including Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton was nearly completed.
According to reporter Andrew Mason, Broncos head coach Sean Payton responded to the rumours by noting that the agreement did not go far.
“Probably in the last 3 months multiple teams have called about Courtland Sutton,” Payton pointed out.
When asked about the 49ers deal, Payton responded, “We didn’t get nearly as far down the road as may have been reported.”
Diana Russini of The Athletic first reported on the trade.
“The 49ers were only willing to sell Brandon Aiyuk if they could find a top-tier receiver to replace him. The Steelers would have received a third-round pick in exchange for Courtland Sutton, but the Broncos declined. “So, he stays in San Francisco,” Russini stated on X, formerly Twitter.
Broncos are not interested in dealing. Courtland Sutton
Several teams have expressed interest in trading for Courtland Sutton dating back to last season. According to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, the Baltimore Ravens attempted to trade for the Denver Broncos wide receiver, and while a deal appeared to be in the works, the Broncos ultimately decided against it. That resulted in the Ravens signing Odell Beckham Jr.
The Broncos adjusted Sutton’s deal in the summer, allowing him to earn up to $15.2 million this season, plus $1.5 million in further incentives. Sutton remained professional throughout the process, including requesting for a raise and attending obligatory minicamp and training camp.
Sutton had one of his greatest seasons with the Broncos last year, totaling 772 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, due to Russell Wilson’s quarterback brilliance. The quarterback position has always been up for grabs in Sutton’s Broncos career, but he should get off to a solid start this season with youngster Bo Nix, who won the starting role during the preseason.
If the Broncos had dealt Sutton, they would have been thin at wide receiver, which may have been bad for Nix heading into the season. Instead, he has a consistent receiver on whom he can rely throughout the season and establish familiarity early on. With his new contract and Sean Payton downplaying trade rumours, Sutton should be able to focus on the Broncos for the foreseeable future.
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