The Broncos have a new No. 1 receiver in Jaylen Waddle, and that reality is starting to reshape the conversation around Courtland Sutton.
Denver’s offseason move to bring Waddle in from the Miami Dolphins gave the offense a major upgrade, but it also crowded the wideout room in a way that opens the door to some uncomfortable decisions. There’s enough talent in the group now that the Broncos could move a receiver without completely changing the shape of the offense.
That’s why ESPN’s Ben Solak floated Sutton as a possible trade target for the Los Angeles Rams this season. He wrote, "Could Courtland Sutton be available from the Broncos, who are moving to a bigger diet of Jaylen Waddle and Pat Bryant?"
It would not be a shocking development if Sutton became available. Waddle is positioned as the future centerpiece of the passing game, and Pat Bryant has done enough so far to make Denver think about how it wants to allocate its targets moving forward.
Behind that trio, Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims give the Broncos solid depth, which is part of what makes this conversation possible in the first place.
The Broncos do not need to move Sutton now, and they do not have to force anything next offseason either. But if the front office decides the timing is right, the logic is easy to see. Denver has enough at receiver to absorb the loss, and with Bo Nix’s new contract approaching, a return of draft capital for a player with a manageable deal starts to look attractive.
If a trade were to happen, the offseason would be the cleaner window. Still, if a team such as the Rams is willing to offer a second-round pick for Sutton, that kind of value is hard to ignore.
Denver does not need to be the team making calls about Sutton, but it also should not dismiss offers out of hand. For now, this is less a deadline storyline than something to keep an eye on once the offseason begins in March of 2027.
In Other News...
Broncos Just Got A Reminder Of Where They Stand With CBS
The broadcast assignments for this week offered a small but telling reminder of how CBS is viewing the AFC West picture. Rather than placing its top crew on Broncos-49ers, the network sent Jim Nantz and J.J. Watt to Raiders-Chiefs, leaving Denvers matchup to a different booth in the same time slot. For Broncos fans, it was the kind of selection that tends to sting a little, especially when the alternative is a game that could carry more weight on the field.
The reaction followed quickly, with plenty of fans arguing that star power and familiar storylines won out over the more compelling football. It also served as another confirmation that Tony Romo remains away from CBS broadcasts, even as the network leans on its other marquee voices for the biggest windows. For Denver, the message was hard to miss: the Broncos still have to earn their place in the spotlight before CBS treats them like a featured game. [Read more 🡒]
Sean Payton Took An Unusual Risk In Denvers Comeback Win
Sean Payton did something out of character in Denvers comeback win over the Rams, and it helped swing the game. The Broncos pulled out a 30-26 victory with a pair of successful two-point conversions in the third quarter, a stretch of aggression from a coach who usually leans conservative in that part of the game. The calls were not just bold in the abstract, either, with one built around a pass from Bo Nix to Jaylen Waddle and another coming off a trick look involving Courtland Sutton and Pat Bryant.
For Payton, the moves stood out because they ran against his usual preference to avoid going for two that early. It was the kind of in-game shift that can define a close win, especially when a team is trying to claw back against a quality opponent. The Broncos got the result they needed, but the more interesting part may be what it says about how far Payton is willing to push the envelope when the moment calls for it. [Read more 🡒]
J.K. Dobbins Is Raising A Bigger Broncos Concern Than Fans Expected
J.K. Dobbins arrived in Denver with the expectation that he could give the Broncos a steadier presence in the backfield, but the early returns have been more complicated than anyone wanted. His rushing average has slipped to 3.5 yards per carry to start the 2026 season, a steep drop from a career mark above 5.0, and the numbers around him are just as thin: four first downs, no touchdowns and one fumble.
The bigger issue is what the film appears to show. Analyst Cecil Lammey pointed to Dobbins hesitation and reduced explosiveness, suggesting injuries may be part of the problem even with solid run blocking in front of him. He also left a game early with a possible hamstring injury, and for a Broncos offense that expected more stability there, the concern now is whether this is a temporary dip or something that could linger. [Read more 🡒]