BRONCOS HC SEAN PAYTON: WE’RE NOT TRADING JEUDY AND SUTTON
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton silenced rumors that the team was open to trading wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton.
Payton told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, “I see and read just like everyone does. The occasionally, when someone really crowds the plate, I throw a fast ball right at their chin. And they back up, and they’re like, ‘alright.’ And so I haven’t thrown any fast balls lately. We’re not trading those two players.”
Payton was speaking at the NFL Annual Owners Meetings in Phoenix, Arizona. The 59-year-old, acknowledged, however, that phones had been ringing with teams inquiring about both Jeudy and Sutton. Both wide receivers have in recent days been linked to trades elsewhere including the New England Patriots, the Chicago Bears and the Baltimore Ravens.
“When people call and the phone rings like it does this time of year,” said Payton. “(General Manager) George Paton’s job is to pick it up and say, ‘Hey. Tell you what, we’re not.’ And so we’ve received calls, you bet.
“Those are two good football players. But we’re in the business of gathering talent right now. Why do people call? Because they know we’re void of draft picks and that we might, because there was some discussions a year ago, I think, regarding Courtland. But we like the current group that we’re working with.”
The Broncos have just five picks in the draft next month and own no selections until the third round after parting with premium picks to acquire quarterback Russell Wilson from Seattle last spring and Payton from the Saints this January.
Denver drafted now 23-year-old Jerry Jeudy in the first-round of the 2020 NFL Draft after back-to-back 1,000+ receiving yard seasons in college and were keen on seeing him realizing his potential in the Mile High City.
Jeudy had his best year as a pro in 2022, coming up just 28 yards shy of a 1,000-receiving yard season. The former Alabama wide receiver registered 972 yards on 67 receptions and six touchdowns in what was a bounce-back campaign after injuries limited him to just 467 yards and no touchdowns in 10 games the year prior.
One NFL head coach confirmed to 9News’ Mike Klis on Sunday that their team was in for Courtland Sutton but the Denver Broncos were asking for a second-round pick for him. Denver was also reportedly looking for a first-round pick for Jerry Jeudy.
Sutton, a 2018 second-round draft pick, has proven to be reliable in all the seasons he’s been healthy and received a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 after having his best season yet. Sutton posted 1,112 receiving yards on 72 catches and six touchdowns. The former SMU Mustang had 64 catches for 829 yards and two touchdowns last year.
Although he hasn’t been the same since tearing his ACL in 2020, standing at 6-foot-4, many teams still consider Sutton an out-and-out number 1 wide receiver. The Brenham-born wide out signed a four-year, $60.8 million contract extension in November 2021, and stands to make $14.5 million in 2023, a price considered steep by many teams.
Although keeping some of their best players is key for the Denver Broncos to have any chance of success, much will depend on how well Payton will be able to turn Russell Wilson around. The nine-time Pro Bowler had a disappointing first year in Denver in 2022 and will be keen to bounce back, especially with new head coach Sean Payton holding the reins.
Wilson underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after the season but is on track to participate in the team’s offseason program next month.
In other news, the Broncos also reunited former Saints wide receiver Marquez Callaway with his previous head coach this weekend. A former undrafted free agent, Callaway had a career-high 46 catches, 698 yards and six touchdowns in Payton’s offense in 2021 and now signs in Denver on a one-year, $1.135 million deal. Callaway’s contract features $177,500 in guaranteed money and includes a $125,000 signing bonus.
With the owners meeting happening in Phoenix this year, the event is set to be the first for popular Denver Broncos owners Greg and Carrie Penner, and Rob Walton, who took ownership of the team last summer.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
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