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 on 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 $24M 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 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 helped 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 $12.99M fifth-year option salary. Sutton’s four-year, $60M contract features a nonguaranteed $13M 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 $9.5M 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.
