NFL teams
Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior Writer 2y

Sources: Denver Broncos, top WR Courtland Sutton agree to four-year extension worth just under $61M

NFL, Denver Broncos

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos continued their stretch drive on the contract front Monday.

As players reported back from the team's bye week, the Broncos secured wide receiver Courtland Sutton to a four-year extension, the team announced.

The deal is worth just under $61 million, according to multiple team sources, and includes $34.9 million in guarantees. Sutton will receive $18 million in the first year of the deal, the sources said. Sutton was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at season's end.

"This is home ... Denver gave me opportunity and getting drafted was one of the best days of my life,'' Sutton said Monday. "I've always said being a Bronco is something I want to do for life.''

Sutton, 26, missed all but two games in 2020 with a torn ACL and has returned to lead the Broncos in receptions (43) and receiving yards (617) this season. The Broncos also signed wide receiver Tim Patrick to a three-year, $30 million deal this past weekend.

"I couldn't have dreamed of something like this and I'm just very thankful.'' Patrick said Monday. " ... Why would I want to leave somewhere that believed in me? ... (The Broncos) didn't have to sign me, I could have been out of the NFL.''

It's all in keeping with general manager George Paton's pledge earlier this year to retain the team's free agents whenever possible. Since March, the Broncos have signed safety Justin Simmons, defensive end Shelby Harris, Patrick and Sutton to multiyear deals.

"These are two players we really wanted to lock up,'' Paton said of Sutton and Patrick, adding that, "It's priority for us to reward and secure these type of players for the long term.

The Broncos are still poised to have plenty of salary-cap room in the coming offseason -- some projections put them among the top four teams in predicted available space -- and already have 11 draft picks. Linebacker Alexander Johnson, cornerback Bryce Callahan, running back Melvin Gordon III and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will be among their most notable free agents.

The terms of Sutton's extension were first reported by NFL Network.

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