NFL insider all but ends the Steelers’ chances at trading for Pro Bowl WR with latest report
When the trade rumors were at their peak last month, Denver Broncos Pro Bowl WR Courtland Sutton was among the names to watch as a potential candidate. But the draft came and went and the Pittsburgh Steelers (along with the rest of the NFL) decided to hold onto their draft capital. But with June 1st […]
When the trade rumors were at their peak last month, Denver Broncos Pro Bowl WR Courtland Sutton was among the names to watch as a potential candidate.
But the draft came and went and the Pittsburgh Steelers (along with the rest of the NFL) decided to hold onto their draft capital.
But with June 1st nearly here, there is a chance the trade market revs up again.
However, it likely won't include Sutton.
Sutton's off-the-board
"I don't feel like he's trending toward a trade," NFL Media's Ian Rapoport said of Sutton. "I don't know if it's trending any [which] way, but if something does happen, probably more resolution than anything. And I don't even know that his ask is that much, and I think he just wants to be there…
"…I think [Courtland Sutton] saw some of his friends leave and he wants a little more guaranteed money. You know, you could do that in a couple different ways. You can do that in a form of an extension. You can do it like the Raiders did with Maxx Crosby, where you just give him more money knowing that it's gonna make him happier and kind of reward a guy who deserves it. There's different ways you can do it, but I would imagine there's a resolution in there somewhere that could make all sides pretty happy."
The resolution that Rapoport is speaking to, is a pay raise for the 28-year-old WR who is coming a career-high in receiving TDs with 10. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler named his price earlier this month:
He [Sutton] is due about $13.6 million in cash this year. He'd like to see that get up maybe in that $15, $16 million range, said Fowler. "We'll see if they can find a sweet spot."
Part of the reason the Steelers were linked to WR trades during the pre-draft process was their re-structuring of Alex Highsmith's deal, one that allocated an additional $7m in cap space, leaving Pittsburgh with over $18 million to use during the 2024 league year.
And of course, there is always the chance that the right deal comes along and Pittsburgh makes the phone call to acquire Sutton, but if Denver is unwilling to part with their best player on the perimeter, it's all for not.
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