When Jerry Jeudy was dealt to the Browns in March, the move ended long-running speculation about his future in Denver. When reflecting on the process which brought him to Cleveland, the fifth-year receiver said he asked to be dealt on two separate occasions. 
“It didn’t come out of the blue at all,’ Jeudy confirmed in an interview with Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. “I’m the one that decided that. I made the decision to come [to Cleveland] and I’m excited with my decision… I actually came up to [the Broncos] and asked that I wanted a new atmosphere, a new change of scenery. I just wanted to go somewhere else and have a new feel and a new atmosphere.”
The 25-year-old said he initially asked head coach Sean Payton for a trade at the start of the 2023 season, Payton’s first in Denver. That was shut down, allowing Jeudy to play a fourth campaign with the Broncos. He posted a 54-758-2 statline, production which fell short of his career-best season the year before. After receiving interest from a number of teams, Denver went ahead with a trade, sending Jeudy to the Browns for 2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks.
Once that deal became official at the start of the new league year, Jeudy inked a three-year extension including $41MM guaranteed and a total value of $52.5MM. The Alabama product was aware of the Browns’ previous interest in acquiring him, and while Jeudy acknowledged other teams were in contention to land him he did not offer specifics. He is hopeful the change of scenery will allow him to reach 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, something which could happen with an increase in usage in Cleveland compared to Denver.
“I wouldn’t just say it was Payton’s system,’ Jeudy said about his target share with the Broncos. “It’s just a lot for a receiver. You need everything to come together and connect all at once to be able to get the ball a lot.”
Jeudy currently sits second on the Browns’ receiver depth chart behind Amari Cooper. The latter recently had incentives added to his contract, which is still set to expire after the 2024 campaign. Cooper could be part of a package Cleveland sends to San Francisco for Brandon Aiyuk, but until anything tangible happens on that front he will remain the team’s top receiving option. Jeudy will spend the rest of training camp preparing for his first Browns campaign after having his request for a fresh start granted.
I hope more guys force trades either in the offseason or during the season
J.A.G
Jeudy is definitely better than he gets credit for, and definitely suffered due to circumstances outside of his control in Denver. Any unbiased analysis of his tape should reveal his athletic advantages and intelligence in route running that made him a high pick. I don’t blame Payton for trying to keep him.
However, with that said, it’s slso easy to see some if how Jeudy’s shortcomings were his own fault. There seemed to be moments where there was a lack of drive. Jeudy’s attitude didn’t help him live up to hos potential in Denver, despite his inconsistent moments of success. Will Cleveland be able to motivate Jeudy? Dealing Cooper would give him one fewer veteran to learn from and follow, and Jeudy needs some of that to keep him on track,
He’s a solid C+ WR/playmaker. I’d put him in the same class as Joshua Palmer and Tutu Atwell they can make big plays but aren’t WR1 material
Well, no, I don’t think that Jeudy has the size tor that. But he’s better than Palmer or Atwell, in my opinion. His size and skillset make him more suited to a slot or inside exclusive role, but he can handle a WR2 volume of targets if he’s playing well. The problem is that is that Denver’s offensive situation has been putrid and Jeudy hasn’t taken to criticism well. Some of that I get, because the situation was so bleak in Denver, but some of that is Jeudy’s own attitude being subpar and sensitive. He could have been better on another team is basically my evaluation.
For being an offensive guru, Payton does seem to alienate his fair share of key offensive players whom he coaches. I don’t question his knowledge so much as maybe his delivery of that knowledge.
The Parcells tree is not known for its warm, fuzzy people skills.
It does have its share of overrated, oft repeated quotes, though.
I get wanting out of the Broncos after these last few years, but getting sent to the Watson Browns instead has some serious “So tell me McNulty–Where don’t you want to go?” energy to it.
Upvote for the Wire reference
Felt apt. I’m glad it landed with someone.
Sean Payton is a bad coach more players leave
Maybe his stats would be better, idk if he actually catches the ball when he is wide open. Or learns how to run a proper route and doesn’t let the DB’s get in better position to catch the ball, than he is in. Judy wish you all the best. But you can’t act like TO, and put up 4th string receiver numbers
He’s a great route runner, that’s not his problem at all
There are times, instead of cutting 1 yard short to make it an easier catch, or at least make it harder for the defenders, he drifts and runs into the defenders. Making it easier for them to knock the ball away. Or allowing them to intercept the ball.
Somewhere Steven Smith is smiling at all the ways he’ll be able to troll Jeudy if he doesn’t live up to his hype/potential
He requested a trade…..Broncos were like, no freakin problem, we’ve already been trying, just a matter of finding the right sucker
I was super hyped about Jeudy leading up to the draft.
Then when I saw him land in Denver my expectations immediately dropped. Hopefully a fresh start helps him to refocus and be completely bought in. Talent is there for a breakout yet. Coming out of college he was touted as being the best route runner at the position and NFL ready. I don’t like the Broncos and barely ever watch their games so it would be unfair for me to speculate too much but it sounds like Jeudy could have put a little more effort and positive attitude towards the situation. Nor a fan of S.P….dude can be a total ass. He should adjust his attitude as well.
any chance of a watson renaissance ? If not .. how long till he wants out of Cleveland
There’s definitely a chance, but the issue (football-wise, at least) is that it is still, to this point, just a chance. Despite his guaranteed money, I am actually of the opinion that Watson is in something of a prove-it year this season. He needs to show that he was worth that commitment with some playmaking. Denver swallowing that Wilson cap hit (and Matt Ryan’s charge to Atlanta before that) has numbed more front offices to dealing with huge cap hits at the QB position. Not to mention, as well, how the latest set of QB deals has moved the goal posts forward such that Watson’s charge doesn’t look nearly as enormous as it did a few years ago.
The NFL is such a shorter lived league now, and so QB centric, that I really wouldn’t be surprised to see Cleveland weighing a Watson divorce if he looks like he did last year after finally getting on the field. The Watson they signed is not the one that they’ve gotten, and now that his number has looked more pedestrian and the precedent for absorbing huge QB deals has been strengthened, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cleveland attempt to salvage what actually is a good roster with a different quarterback.
Jeudy saw the sh** show coming and he was like “aye man, this ain’t it bruh bruh” lmao
Who wouldn’t desire to leave dysfunction