Sean Payton doesn’t expect Courtland Sutton to stage a holdout during training camp, as the veteran wide receiver seeks a new deal.
Payton said Tuesday that he hasn’t had any conversations with Sutton regarding his contract situation, but he expects the 30-year-old to practice.
“And there won’t be any (conversations),” Payton said. “He’ll be here like we talked about, and he’ll be ready to go.”
Last month, Sutton didn’t confirm whether he would participate in training camp, stating that he and the organization were at a stalemate in terms of negotiations. Sutton will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026. He has a cap hit of $17.3 million in 2024 and $17.8 million in 2025. However, he doesn’t have any guaranteed money outside of the $2 million for this season, according to Over the Cap.
Sutton, who didn’t participate in OTAs due to rehabbing from offseason ankle surgery, said he entertained the idea of skipping mandatory minicamp but decided to show up because he wanted to practice with his teammates.
Despite both sides not finding a middle ground in contract talks, Sutton has expressed his desire to be a part of Denver’s long-term plans and believes the situation will sort itself out.
“I have confidence and faith that the right thing will be done,” Sutton said.
Dulcich expected to practice this week
Greg Dulcich spent the offseason rehabbing following a season lost to a recurring hamstring injury, and Payton anticipates the tight end will be ready to practice at the start of camp.
“The plan is that he’ll practice at the beginning of this week,” the head coach said.
Dulcich didn’t play a complete game in 2023, as he injured his right hamstring in Week 1 and re-injured it in his return to the field in Week 6.
He participated in practice late in the season before he developed swelling in the foot and didn’t return to the field again. During Denver’s offseason program, Dulcich was seen rehabbing on the side field but never scrimmaged or participated in team drills.
Since Dulcich was drafted in 2022, he has been viewed as a key player on offense but hamstring issues have prevented him from living up to expectations. He had 33 catches for 411 yards in 10 games as a rookie before recording just three receptions for 25 yards in two games of his sophomore campaign.
In addition to Dulcich, Payton said he expects rookie running back Audric Estime to be ready for practice after missing part of OTAs and all of mandatory minicamp due to a knee procedure.
“He’s doing good,” Payton said.
Extra Points
• Right guard Quinn Meinerz expressed gratitude over his contract extension on Tuesday, saying “I wanted to be a Denver Bronco for a long time.” Meinerz said he knew near the end of OTAs that there would be talks about an extension and thought the process was handled well.
Meinerz signed a four-year deal that will run through 2028. Sources indicated that the contract is worth $80 million, making him one of the highest-paid guards in the league.
“We are just trying to comprehend what all of this really means,” Meinerz said. “It’s been an incredible journey.”
• With Meinerz getting a new deal, Payton said he would like to get an extension done for All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II, who is under contract through 2025. “We’ll get to it when we want to,” he said.
• Asked if safety Caden Sterns will be a short-term member of the team’s PUP list, Payton answered, “We’ll see.” Sterns did not participate in any drills or team work during OTAs and minicamp, as he continued to rehab from a season-ending knee injury suffered in the season opener against the Raiders.
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Originally Published: July 23, 2024 at 1:52 p.m.
