ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Courtland Sutton's legacy in Denver is already shaped by highlight-reel catches.
It's defined by his leadership, his yardage totals and the wins he's helped earn.
But even after signing a four-year extension following arguably the best season of his career, Sutton is far more concerned with what's next. Instead of reflecting on his legacy, he's determined to add to it.
"The contract isn't the end all, be all," Sutton said Tuesday. "The contract was just allowing me to have that stability to say, 'Hey you're going to be here for the next four years, and the things that are possible are still attainable.' I look forward to chasing those.
"… The guys are hungry. We have great pieces that we've added in this offseason, and we have great pieces that we added in the draft and we have great pieces that returned from this past season. The practices have been competitive, the practices have been detailed, and it's very encouraging to see the direction that the team is already going in such an early stage."
Sutton — who is poised to enter his eighth season — said he's driven to bring back the level of success that Broncos fans have come to expect.
"The biggest thing for me was being able to be here and bring back the years that Broncos fans have known," Sutton said. "The organization has such a long, historic tradition of being successful. You all know that I've been here through the thick and the thin. There's a lot of promise on the other side of the horizon here. To be able to be here and have more years of being able to chase greatness with this great team that we have, and with this great organization, that was one thing I was looking forward to. We have the best fans in football. It's not a cliché thing to say. It's one thing that I believe wholeheartedly. I've played in almost every NFL stadium, and there's nothing like Empower Field [at Mile High] and being able to play in front of Broncos Country. I'm just grateful to be able to be here and continue my legacy here."
Head Coach Sean Payton, who identified Sutton as a player the team could build around "early on" after arriving in Denver, said there were "so many reasons" why the team prioritized retaining their top receiver.
"Number 1, I mean, he epitomizes what we're looking for," Payton said. "Then you match that with his play, and I mean just each box you're checking — leadership, work ethic."
Payton said even if Sutton "didn't say a word," the young players would still be able to learn from him. His willingness to lead is undoubtedly a benefit, though, and Payton said Sutton is "everything you want in a pro."
Entering his second season playing alongside Bo Nix, Sutton will attempt to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the first time in his career. And in Sutton, Payton sees a player who has plenty to contribute in 2025.
"We're getting a player who's still young," Payton said. "He's smart, he's tough, he's reliable. He excels in a number of areas, and again, we're getting a leader."
