Report: Broncos Trade WR Jerry Jeudy to Browns

The Denver Broncos moved on from Jerry Jeudy.

It's a fire sale in the Mile High City. That's how it may feel to Denver Broncos fans, anyway, with Saturday's news that wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has been traded to the Cleveland Browns. 

ESPN insider Adam Schefter broke the news. 

"Trade: Broncos and Browns agreed to a deal today that will send WR Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland in exchange for two draft picks, sources tell ESPN. Cleveland made a run at Jeudy at last season’s trade deadline. Now the Browns finally will get him once trade is processed this week," Schefter reported on X. 

Trade: Broncos and Browns agreed to a deal today that will send WR Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland in exchange for two draft picks, sources tell ESPN.

Cleveland made a run at Jeudy at last season’s trade deadline. Now the Browns finally will get him once trade is processed this week. pic.twitter.com/G0XlwDXlAr

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2024

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The move clears up an additional $12.9 million in salary-cap space, and in exchange for Jeudy, the Broncos reportedly garnered just a fifth and sixth-round draft pick. 

The Broncos are trading WR Jerry Jeudy to the Browns for 2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks, per sources. Cleveland has two picks in each round—the Browns are dealing the 135th and 202nd picks overall, they still have the 155th and 205th picks.

(@RapSheet first.)

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 9, 2024

What message is Sean Payton sending to the fanbase? 

Tear it down. 

Much like a new recruit to the Marine Corps is broken down by basic training to be built back up again, Payton is tearing down the Broncos roster to rebuild it in his image. And it's going to be painful along the way.

The Jeudy trade comes on the heels of the Broncos releasing quarterback Russell Wilson and safety Justin Simmons, as well as tight end Chris Manhertz. The Jeudy trade officially gives Denver some breathing room on the salary cap. 

Jeudy was Denver's first-round pick (No. 15 overall) back in 2020. He had an inconsistent rookie season plagued by drops and battled the injury bug over his first couple of seasons. That, combined with his social media antics, which bled onto the field somewhat this past season, and fans were ready to pull the plug on him. 

However, the way Jeudy closed out the 2022 campaign changed the Broncos' view of him and that of the fanbase. He was trending toward bonafide bust status before the tear he went on down the stretch that season, and the Broncos would subsequently exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, giving him a massive pay raise for 2024. 

Alas, even with Payton in town, Jeudy fell back into the old ruts in 2023, finishing with just 54 receptions for 758 yards and two touchdowns. There weren't many passing yards to go around in Payton's run-heavy offense, but Jeudy struggled to find the end zone and make impact plays. 

As a Bronco for four years, Jeudy totaled 211 career receptions for 3,053 yards and 11 touchdowns. The former Alabama star may need a change of NFL scenery, but as he departs, he'd be wise to remember this: 

Everywhere you go, there you are. 

Happy trails, Jerry. 

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