When Sutton Contained No One Steps Up in the Denver Broncos

In the NFL, a team’s top wide receiver often acts as a “security blanket”—a reliable target quarterbacks turn to when plays break down, and a player who draws defensive attention to open up opportunities for teammates. When Sutton Contained No One Steps Up in the Denver Broncos examines a critical flaw in the Broncos’ offense: their inability to replace the production of Courtland Sutton when opposing defenses shut him down. Sutton, the Broncos’ longest-tenured receiver and statistical leader (720 yards, 4 touchdowns in 2026), is a physical presence at 6’4”, but his impact fades when defenses assign top cornerbacks or double coverage to limit his touches. For the Broncos, this creates a domino effect: quarterback Bo Nix loses his go-to target, the passing game becomes predictable, and the offense struggles to generate big plays—all because no other receiver has stepped up to fill the void. As the Broncos push for a playoff spot, this issue has become a glaring weakness that opponents are increasingly exploiting.

When Sutton Contained No One Steps Up in the Denver Broncos begins with the numbers that highlight the problem. In games where Sutton is held to 50 yards or fewer (4 games so far in 2026), the Broncos’ passing offense averages just 185 yards per game—28% less than their season average of 257 yards. Worse, their red zone touchdown rate plummets from 70% (third in the NFL) to 45% in those contests, as defenses can focus on stopping the run without worrying about a secondary receiving threat. A prime example came in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills: Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White shadowed Sutton all game, limiting him to 3 catches for 42 yards. With no other receiver stepping up—Marvin Mims Jr. had 2 catches for 28 yards, and Odell Beckham Jr. dropped 2 critical passes—the Broncos’ offense sputtered, scoring just 17 points in a narrow 20-17 win. “When Sutton is contained, we become one-dimensional,” said former NFL offensive coordinator and ESPN analyst Matt Hasselbeck. “Defenses know we can’t spread the field, so they stack the box to stop Javonte Williams, and suddenly our entire offense grinds to a halt. The Broncos need someone—anyone—to take pressure off Sutton.”

A key reason for When Sutton Contained No One Steps Up in the Denver Broncos is the inconsistent play of the team’s other wide receivers, particularly Odell Beckham Jr. and Marvin Mims Jr. Beckham, a veteran signed in free agency to add experience, has failed to recapture his prime form: he’s averaging just 10.2 yards per catch (a career low) and has dropped 6 passes—tied for the most among NFL receivers. When defenses shift focus from Sutton to Beckham, he’s struggled to create separation, often relying on contested catches that he can no longer consistently win. Mims, a rookie with elite speed, has shown flashes of potential (a 65-yard touchdown in Week 11) but has been limited by injuries (4 games missed) and inconsistent route-running. In games where Sutton is contained, Mims has averaged just 3 catches for 35 yards—hardly enough to force defenses to adjust. Even slot receiver Tim Patrick, who returned from a knee injury in Week 8, has failed to step up, with just 15 catches for 180 yards in his first 6 games back. “We thought we had depth at receiver, but that hasn’t panned out,” said Broncos beat writer Mike Klis. “Beckham is past his prime, Mims is still learning, and Patrick hasn’t fully recovered. When Sutton is shut down, there’s no one else to turn to.”

When Sutton Contained No One Steps Up in the Denver Broncos also highlights the pressure this puts on quarterback Bo Nix, who is still developing in his second NFL season. Nix, who has shown poise and decision-making when the offense is balanced, becomes hesitant when Sutton is contained. Film study shows he often holds the ball longer, looking for Sutton even when he’s double-covered, leading to sacks (12 of his 18 sacks this season have come in games where Sutton is limited) or forced interceptions (3 of his 5 interceptions). In Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns, Nix missed an open Mims on a deep route in the fourth quarter because he was fixated on finding Sutton, who was being guarded by two defenders. The play ended in a punt, and the Broncos had to rely on a late field goal to win 27-24. “Young quarterbacks need reliable options to build confidence,” said former Broncos quarterback John Elway. “When Nix can’t trust his other receivers to catch the ball or get open, he panics. That’s not his fault—it’s a roster issue. The Broncos need to give him weapons he can count on when Sutton is contained.” For the Denver Broncos, this pressure on Nix isn’t just a short-term problem; it risks stunting his development if the team can’t fix the receiver depth issue soon.

Another consequence of When Sutton Contained No One Steps Up in the Denver Broncos is the impact on the running game, which has been the offense’s strength (135 yards per game, third in the NFL). When defenses don’t have to worry about the passing game, they can commit extra defenders to stop Javonte Williams, reducing his effectiveness. In games where Sutton is held to 50 yards or fewer, Williams’ yards per carry drops from 4.8 to 3.2, and the Broncos’ rushing touchdowns fall from 7 to 3. This was evident in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo assigned double coverage to Sutton, freeing up linebackers to clog running lanes. Williams finished with 18 carries for 58 yards (3.2 yards per carry), and the Broncos had to rely on a late Jonah Elliss sack to secure a 24-21 win. “Our running game and passing game are supposed to complement each other,” said Broncos offensive line coach Butch Barry. “When one fails, the other can’t carry the load alone. If we can’t get a second receiver going, defenses will keep stacking the box, and even our best runs will be stopped before they start.” For the Denver Broncos, this interconnectedness means fixing the receiver issue isn’t just about improving the passing game—it’s about preserving the running game that has been the backbone of their success.

Looking ahead, When Sutton Contained No One Steps Up in the Denver Broncos is a problem the team must address immediately if they want to make a deep playoff run. The most obvious solution is to sign a free-agent receiver before the NFL’s trade deadline, with names like Allen Lazard (former Green Bay Packer) or Jakobi Meyers (former New England Patriot) available as short-term fixes. The Broncos could also promote practice-squad receiver Michael Bandy, who has shown promise in scout-team drills, or adjust their offense to use more two-tight end sets, leveraging the talent of Greg Dulcich and Albert Okwuegbunam to create mismatches. Head coach Sean Payton has acknowledged the issue, saying, “We need more production from our receiving corps beyond Sutton. That’s on us as coaches to find ways to get guys open, and on the players to make plays when the opportunity comes.” For the Denver Broncos, the clock is ticking. If they can’t find a solution soon, opposing defenses will continue to contain Sutton—and the Broncos’ Super Bowl aspirations will fade along with their passing game. When Sutton Contained No One Steps Up in the Denver Broncos isn’t just a temporary slump; it’s a make-or-break issue that will define the rest of their season.