This week, the Denver Broncos finalized a four-year, $92 million contract extension with wide receiver Courtland Sutton, highlighting his value both on and off the field. Head coach Sean Payton emphasized Sutton’s multifaceted importance to the team, calling him one of their leaders and praising his strong presence despite past injuries.

Payton remarked on Sutton’s career, saying,

“Like any player, he’s dealt with some injuries. There’s certain years — his 2019 film is outstanding. His film last year. It’s finding that right weight and balance, and then what are the things that he does well? Certainly, he’s a strong target. He’s smart. He’s clearly one of our leaders on this team. There’s a lot of things that he brings to the table.”

—Sean Payton, Denver Broncos Head Coach

Broncos rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin also highlighted Sutton’s veteran influence within the receivers group, appreciating his guidance on and off the field.

“He brings, I don’t know if this is the right word for it, but like security for the group,”

Franklin said.

“We’re all young in the room, but we can lean on Court if we need any advice. We can watch what he does on the field, off the field and things like that. It’s great having Court. Plus, he’s a great guy.”

—Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos Wide Receiver

Payton further explained how the Broncos aim to cultivate a strong team culture through patient selection of the right players over time.

“It happens — I don’t know that it happens with the signing of one (guy) — but you continue to look for a certain type of player,”

Payton said.

“And then it begins to take shape. … We can aspire to have great culture, but if we don’t sign the right players, it’s going to be difficult to impossible.”

—Sean Payton, Denver Broncos Head Coach

Chiefs Cornerback Trent McDuffie Concentrates on Performance Amid Contract Negotiations

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie is currently involved in contract discussions but maintains a firm focus on his on-field contributions. McDuffie noted that he has entrusted his agent with handling contract negotiations, allowing him to concentrate fully on improving his play and helping the Chiefs.

“When it comes to contract stuff, my relationship with my agent is the [best] I’ve ever had,”

McDuffie said.

“With that, I’ve allowed him to really focus on contract stuff. For me, I really just want to focus on ball. I love being a Chief. I know the contract stuff will come.”

—Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs Cornerback

He added that each year presents a new challenge to prove himself in various roles on the field.

“Every year is a new year and you want to prove that you still have it,”

McDuffie continued.

“Even in the nickel, I feel I have something to prove. On the outside, I have something to prove.”

—Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs Cornerback

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt underscored the organization’s priority to retain key players, especially those developed through the draft.

“One of the themes you saw was rewarding players we had drafted,”

Hunt said.

“I’m a big believer that you build teams through the draft. I don’t want to speak specifically about any one player, but it is a priority for us to keep the nucleus of the team together.”

—Clark Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs Owner

Raiders Embrace Veteran Leadership and Offensive Strategy

On the Las Vegas Raiders side, quarterback Geno Smith is thriving under offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who previously coached Smith’s cousin, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, at Ohio State. Smith praised Kelly’s implementation of a physical and aggressive style of play designed to maximize the team’s weapons.

“I think Chip has done a great job, number one, with implementing his style of play,”

Smith said.

“We want to be tough, we want to be physical, we want to attack the line of scrimmage. He’s doing a great job scheme-wise, putting us in position to make plays. We’ve got a lot of great weapons on offense, so he’s putting the guys in positions to make plays. And you can see it out there from day one, just the guys who are touching the ball and getting up, getting in open space.”

—Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders Quarterback

Kelly expressed confidence in Smith’s ability to execute the diverse offensive scheme with precision.

“The beauty of it is that the guy pulling the trigger can run everything,”

Kelly said.

“So if we’re with Geno and say, ‘Hey, we’d like to do this.’ He can do it. If you want to do that part of the game, whether it be quick game, he can do it, throwing the deep ball, he can do it, throwing the intermediate big balls, he can do that. He’s got so much experience, and to have a veteran quarterback, it’s such a comforting feeling.”

—Chip Kelly, Las Vegas Raiders Offensive Coordinator

Raiders Tight Ends Bolster Team with Experience and Emerging Talent

The Raiders are also looking to veteran tight end Ian Thomas to provide leadership and support, especially through blocking duties, complementing the team’s younger players. Thomas’s contributions go beyond just blocking, as coach Luke Steckel pointed out.

“He’s such a good compliment to a tight end room,”

Steckel said.

“He does a lot of the dirty work that a lot of guys don’t do as much anymore. … He’s played a lot of snaps in this league. Guys can learn from the reps that he’s taken. I’ve felt his presence just as a veteran leader in the room and I think he’s an underestimated athlete. He can do more in the pass game than people give him credit for. It’s just all about the opportunities and when those opportunities come up, I think he’s going to do well for us.”

—Luke Steckel, Las Vegas Raiders Tight Ends Coach

Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly continues to rely on tight end Brock Bowers as a major receiving threat.

“[W]hen he came in here, he was as advertised, and unbelievable work ethic, unbelievable attention to detail,”

Kelly noted.

“All the things you’re looking for in a player, along with just a unique skillset, to have a guy that big and that athletic and moves in that way is kind of special. So, we’re really excited about what he can bring for us.”

—Chip Kelly, Las Vegas Raiders Offensive Coordinator

Despite some decreased involvement last season following Bowers’s arrival, tight end Michael Mayer is expected to regain a substantial role in the offense, as the team plans to utilize multiple tight end sets.

Raiders head coach Pete Carroll praised Mayer’s dedication and progress this offseason.

“I thought Mike had a great offseason with us,”

Carroll said.

“We started out going heart to heart and him understand what we’re all about, and he embraced it and took it as well as anybody could take the challenge of bringing it day in and day out.”

—Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach