INDIANAPOLIS — Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton stayed away from some offseason drills last year while displeased with his contract. A repeat might be avoided.

Sutton, who caught 81 passes for 1,081 yards in 2024, is under contract in 2025 for a non-guaranteed base salary of $13.5 million and is a candidate for an extension. Denver coach Sean Payton said Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine there will be talks about his contract.

“(General manager) George (Paton) and I were just talking about it,’’ Payton said. “Those discussions will take place. George, Courtland’s representatives and we felt like he had a real good season. He’s important to what we’re doing. So all of that will happen in time and I don’t think now’s the time.”

Sutton, 29, became the first Denver receiver to have a 1,000-yard season since he had 1,112 yards in 2019.

“Courtland is one of our guys, a team captain,’’ Paton said. “I’ve said this for a couple years in a row: we want him here. We’ll have those discussions at the right time.”

Paton also touched upon two starters bound for free agency in defensive tackle D.J. Jones and running back Javonte Williams.

“We really like D.J.,’’ Paton said. “We’d like to have him back. We’ll have those conversations.”

Jones, who made a base salary of $9.49 million in 2024, would seem to be a higher priority than Williams, 24, who made a base salary of $1.868 million and rushed for 513 yards while averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. However, Paton said, “There’s a chance we bring Javonte back.’’

Williams rushed for 903 yards as a rookie in 2021 but hasn’t been the same player since suffering a serious knee injury in October 2022. Bringing back Williams would seem to be difficult since running backs Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime look to be safe on the roster for 2025 and the Broncos figure to bring in a running back with a strong chance to be the starter.

Paton also reiterated the desire to hold onto Pro Bowl outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, who has one year left on his contract and is eligible for a lucrative extension.

“He’s a dynamic player and we want him here a long time,’’ Paton said.

Nix’s ankle is ‘fine’

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix turned down a Pro Bowl invitation last month due to having a clean-up procedure on an ankle.

While Paton declined to offer body-part specifices on Nix, he said he is doing well.

“He’s fine,’’ Paton said. “He’s back at the facility. He’s working out. He’s going to be good.”

Tuesday was Nix’s 25th birthday.

“I saw that,’’ Payton said. “I’m not going to wish any happy birthday on air… I sent him a text.”

Sanders officially an inside LB

The Broncos had been looking at second-year man Drew Sanders at one point as an outside linebacker. But no longer.

“Right now, inside,’’ Payton said. “Last year, we kind of went into the offseason with the edge idea and then we’ve kind of progressed enough to where we’re going he’s going to work inside. It’s kind of how the season finished, too. We’re going to keep him right there.”

Sanders suffered a torn Achilles last April but returned to play in four late-season games. He was moved late in the season to inside linebacker, one reason being the Broncos had much less depth there than on the outside.

“We think Sanders can be a starter in this league at linebacker,’’ Paton said. “Now, let’s see how it goes.”

Coaching staff update

Payton is continuing to assemble his coaching staff for 2025.

“At some point here, we’ll announce the completion of our staff,’’ he said.

The Broncos have announced the hiring of special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi to replace the fired Ben Kotwica. Rizzi previously served under Payton from 2019-21, Payton’s final three seasons as New Orleans’ head coach. Rizzi was the Saints’ special teams coordinator the past six years and closed 2024 as their interim head coach, going 3-5.

“He’s a tremendous teacher,’’ Payton said. “He was a very serious candidate (to coach the Saints before they hired Philadelphia offensive coordinator Kellen Moore), and I think will be a head coach in our league.”

Although it hasn’t been officially announced, the Broncos have hired Marwan Maalouf as assistant special teams coach to replace Chris Banjo. Banjo was named special teams coordinator for the New York Jets.

Among other assistants to depart, inside linebackers coach Mike Manusky was terminated, tight ends coach Declan Doyle was named Chicago’s offensive coordinator and passing game coordinator John Morton was named Detroit’s offensive coordinator

Payton said Doyle has “a real, real sharp offensive mind” and is a “great thinker.” He said Morton is “super passionate and he works his tail off.”

Broncos ‘hungry for more’

The Broncos are coming off their first playoff berth since 2015, but Payton is taking nothing for granted.

“The one thing we have to avoid is this idea we’re going to pick up where we left off,’’ he said. “The season ends and you kind of take the proverbial game board and you take all the pieces and dump them and then you set it up again.”

Nevertheless, the Broncos are quite optimistic

“Certainly you’re more confident,’’ Payton said. “The experience has helped a number of players. But the journey begins, and we don’t shy away from it. Our expectations are high. And I’m encouraged with the some of the things we did this past season. And yet still kind of hungry for more.”

Briefly

Payton said the Broncos are continuing to evaluate the incident involving outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite, arrested Sunday at Denver International Airport for allegedly punching a police officer. “We’re on top of it relative to the local authorities as well as the league office,’’ Payton said. “We’re monitoring that process and we’ll follow the proper protocols and channels.” … With Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson bound for free agency, Broncos coach Sean Payton called it a “must” to “secure who the backup” quarterback is. Stidham, the backup in 2024, is considered more likely to return to Denver than Wilson, who was third string but might get more attention in free agency. … With Las Vegas hiring Pete Carroll, he becomes at 73 the oldest head coach in the AFC West. Kansas City’s Andy Reid is 66. Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers and Payton are 61, but Harbaugh is six days older. “I’m the youngest,’’ Payton said. “Thanks, Pete.’’ … Payton attended the Nuggets’ 125-116 win Monday at Indiana and before the game had his first in-depth talk with Nuggets coach Michael Malone. “It was exciting for me to meet Mike,’’ he said.