JANUARY 23: Klis has since indicated this was more speculation, due to the forthcoming cap hit Wilson’s release will bring, rather than a true indication of the team being prepared to disband the duo. Given the time the Broncos have invested in the pair without much return on investment, it would still surprise to see Jeudy and Sutton together in orange for a fifth season.
JANUARY 21: Countless trade rumors followed the Broncos’ receiving corps last year, but the team decided to roll out its Courtland Sutton–Jerry Jeudy duo for a fourth straight year. The team nearly traded Sutton to the Ravens last March, and Jeudy continued to come up in rumors leading up to the October deadline.
Although Sutton made a significant impact for the team this season, the Broncos appear close to separating this promising but inconsistent tandem. The team is expected to move on from either Sutton or Jeudy in 2024, according to 9News’ Mike Klis.
As the Broncos lay out their offseason plan, cap space will be an issue. Denver is currently projected to land $24MM over the 2024 salary ceiling, per OverTheCap, ahead of free agency. That number pales in comparison to those Sean Payton‘s Saints needed to whittle down in order to reach cap compliance during his final years in New Orleans, but the veteran HC’s new team still has some work to do. Denver’s receiver situation, then, will again come into focus.
Baltimore nearly acquired Sutton, before pivoting to an Odell Beckham Jr. free agency agreement, but the Broncos’ offense depended on the sixth-year veteran this season. A 2019 Pro Bowler who had struggled to recapture his form since a 2020 ACL tear, Sutton came through with several highlight-reel catches — some of which helping the Broncos reenter the playoff picture via a five-game midseason win streak. Whereas Denver’s passing attack depended on Sutton, Jeudy could not build on his strong 2022 finish.
While the two finished with similar yardage totals, Sutton became Russell Wilson‘s more dependable target. The one-handed catch maven scored 10 touchdowns, completing a 772-yard season. Jeudy finished with 758 yards — nearly 200 off his 2022 pace — despite the Broncos setting a higher price on the 2020 first-round pick. Denver wanted a first-round pick for Jeudy during the 2023 offseason, while the team sought a second-rounder for Sutton. Jeudy is believed to have fetched an offer including third- and fifth-round picks, but the Broncos stood pat. His inconsistency and 2024 price tag may well reduce Denver’s ask this year.
Jeudy, 24, is tied to a fully guaranteed $12.99MM fifth-year option salary. Sutton’s four-year, $60MM contract features a nonguaranteed $13MM for 2024; the 28-year-old wideout is signed through 2025. Before the deadline, the Broncos were believed to be readier to move Jeudy than Sutton. The younger receiver still stands to carry more trade value, though he has not justified his No. 15 overall draft slot after four seasons. If the Broncos do not view Jeudy as worthy of a second contract, the team could certainly opt to unload him and regroup around Sutton and 2023 second-rounder Marvin Mims.
Neither Payton nor GM George Paton was in Denver when the team drafted Jeudy, but the latter did authorize Sutton’s extension in 2021. While the team has held off on making a big change at receiver during the 2020s, its group has not panned out as hoped. The team’s evolving QB situation — one again set for turbulence after the expected Wilson release shatters a dead-money record — has not helped, however.
Denver can also pick up $9.5MM by releasing Tim Patrick, who has suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries, but the team would have at least one receiver spot open should it also trade Jeudy or Sutton this offseason.
I feel like this is evergreen.
Of the two I can see them trade Jeudy in the sense he hasn’t lived up to expectations since being drafted. But they could get more value from a Sutton trade. I wouldn’t rule out both being traded.
It’s supposed to be a WR rich draft.
They should have done this at the deadline, but they overvalued what they had. I don’t anticipate either player getting a second or even a third.
Both assets are worth less now. I don’t want to pay a WR when I just gave up trade assets. Not when I can get comfortable drafting one.
There has been zero vision and planning in terms of team building since Manning retired. It’s like they are making it up as the go along.
Yeah, if Denver could get a 4th for one of them, they should take the offer and run. They definitely overplayed their hand. I can’t imagine teams are going to line up to part with good picks, plus pay a higher price tag, for inconsistent WRs. They could roll the dice on just drafting one themselves, saving the cash at least.
Jeudy would play well as a # 3 behind AJ Brown and Smith.
To address that Jerry Jeudy has not lived up to expectations since being drafted…..
Jerry Jeudy has never complained about the ownership change, coaching changes, or his starting QB’s :
Drew Lock
Jeff Driskel
Brett Rypien
Teddy Bridgewater
Russell Wilson
Jarrett Stidham
Welcome to Foxborough, Jerry.
Part of Denver’s overrated roster.
Clean house and save cap. Jeudy to Lions Ravens or Chiefs. Sutton to Giants Bills or Rams
Could see the Giants trading for Sutton.
Exactly. And drafting a late rounder QB for insurance for Daniel jones
Clean house it should be. If they don’t have a solid QB in place, no reason to hold on to any of these players. Draft away.
And maybe a second round QB or a vet like cousins tannehill or Wentz. And then another rb Javonte struggles with injuries
An “asset” is only an asset if someone else is willing to give you what you are asking for. If nobody is willing to give you your asking price, then your “asset” is worthless. I agree with all – why give up ANYTHING for these two if I can get someone much cheaper in the draft or pivot down to someone currently perceived as not as valuable for a whole lot less money. The Broncos could have recouped some of their Payton / Wilson draft capital if they traded both.
Denver Broncos just need a hard reset on offense.
For whatever reason Jeudy Sutton Williams have been together 3 or so years and just don’t seem to play well together.
They have a nice young receiver in Mims. They need to get a pass catching TE. And need to do a reset on the wr room.
I’d trade both honestly.
The Broncos are going to stink until the Wilson contract is expunged, thus it is better to get some young players on the roster rather than continue to play guys who didn’t live up to either their draft position or their paycheck.
Jerry jeudy is awful tbh
Yep. I question if people watch games who are still trying to say he’s a great talent. It’s not the QB. It’s not the system. He runs lazy routes, and he is terrible at getting seperation. People are still thinking he’s at Alabama, and that was four years ago. The biggest mystery is why the broncos were foolishly looking for a first round pick for him a year ago.
Yup Bama was a lifetime ago at this point. He’s nothing but an overpaid 3rd WR.
Once the Broncos picked up that 5th year option for Jeudy they killed his trade market. They tried to move him before the deadline but no one was interested because those options are fully guaranteed. That option decision was made before Payton. Now he has to figure it out.
First rule of Mike Klis: it’s all speculation.