The Denver Broncos opted not to utilize the option bonus in wide receiver Courtland Sutton's contract, according to a report from Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com.
In short, this means the Broncos have less salary cap space available this season and more cap space in 2027 (plus more flexibility with Sutton's contract down the road).
By not utilizing the bonus, Denver allowed Sutton's salary to jump from $4.375 million to $16.375 million, and his salary cap hit increased to $23.575 million. By taking on more this season, the Broncos won't have $9.6 million in prorated cap charges for Sutton in the future, according to the Denver Post's Parker Gabriel.
Gabriel reported that Denver recently made option bonus decisions on cornerback Pat Surtain,
defensive lineman Zach Allen, left tackle Garett Bolles and Sutton, who was the only player in that group who had the option rescinded. Gabriel estimated that the team now has roughly $5 million to $10 million remaining in 2026 cap space.
The Broncos will need to make a decision on Sutton's future before he has $10 million of his 2027 salary becomes guaranteed on March 17 during the offseason. If the team ultimately decides to designate Sutton as a post-June 1 cut next offseason, Denver would save $20 million in 2027, $21.5 million in 2028 and $24.5 million in 2029, according to his contract data on OverTheCap.com.
The 30-year-old receiver is a team captain and one of the club's longest-tenured players, and this contract decision doesn't guarantee Sutton is entering his final year with the Broncos, but the team will be able to easily get out of his contract if they want to in 2027.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos make decision on Courtland Sutton's option bonus, impacting 2027
