Renck: The verdict is in: Broncos, Jerry Jeudy better off without each other

Jerry Jeudy was better in space than NASA. But he never posted stats out of this world.

Jerry Jeudy ran elite routes, but the destination rarely finished in the end zone.

Jerry Jeudy needed consistency, and could not overcome the carousel of chaos with head coaches (four) and starting quarterbacks (seven).

As the Broncos’ first-round draft pick in 2020, Jeudy was not bad. He just wasn’t good enough, especially as his salary increased and his interest waned when he was not the primary target last season.

Jeudy, 25, returns to Denver with the Cleveland Browns on Monday night, and it is clear both sides are better off. Jeudy signed a three-year, $52 million contract extension in March and is on pace for a career-high 70 receptions and 997 yards.

The Broncos have virtually exceeded Jeudy’s production this season with rookies Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin on minimum salaries. Jeudy has 45 catches for 645 yards and two scores. Vele and Franklin have combined for 51 receptions, 551 yards and three touchdowns. Same goes with Lil’ Jordan Humphrey (29, 267, one) replacing Tim Patrick (21, 306, zero).

It hurt. But in both cases, Sean Payton was right to move on from Jeudy and Patrick.

Jeudy needed a fresh start. He should have clicked with Russell Wilson last season, but it never happened. Wilson excelled when buying time, and Jeudy was too often free as Wilson was dropping his eyes and spinning out of the pocket.

Courtland Sutton quickly realized last season that he should play on a string with Wilson and work back to the ball, resulting in 10 scores. Jeudy finished with two touchdowns and failed to post a 100-yard game, leaving him understandably frustrated because he felt like he was “always open.”

At season’s end, Jeudy requested a trade. He did not have to ask. Payton was ready to move on. The coach has made a career of turning a la carte items into meals with receivers. And with Jeudy not projecting as a No. 1 — a role he flirted with at the end of the 2022 season — it made no sense or cents to keep him.

These are the types of decisions that have turned the Broncos into one of the NFL’s most surprising teams and a favorite to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2015. You want warm-and-fuzzy? Buy a teddy bear or watch a Hallmark movie. Payton is not the sentimental type, save for a few favorites.

For Jeudy, the Broncos received fifth- and sixth-round picks in 2024, using one to acquire backup quarterback Zach Wilson and another to move up and draft Franklin. If Payton or general manager George Payton deserves criticism — and both do — it is for not shipping Jeudy out sooner when he had more value at the 2022 and 2023 trade deadlines.

There is irony with Jeudy. Bo Nix projects as the type of quarterback to maximize the receiver’s potential. But not for the money required to keep him. Not at the expense of Payton’s desire to continue to shed skin, deepening the culture with younger, hungrier players.

The move is starting to pay dividends for Jeudy. He boasts at least 70 receiving yards over the last four games since Jameis Winston took over for the injured and disgraced Deshaun Watson. Jeudy is skilled at turning quick hitters into big gains and has improved his improv skills over the past month. I am happy for Jeudy. He needed to go where he was wanted.

But he is not missed.

Vele is quickly becoming reliable, his sticky fingers and long frame leaving him open in the middle of the field. He is the reason I agreed with the decision to cut Patrick. Everybody loves Tim. Vele is an updated version of him.

Franklin was clunky early but continues to improve. He should become a deep threat before the season is over. And even Marvin Mims Jr., in witness protection for months, has found a gadget role after the prediction of him taking Jeudy’s snaps never materialized.

With Jeudy, the upside was tantalizing, but the results disappointing. He dealt with drop issues as a rookie. He overcame that through hard work, but never found traction like CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson and Brandon Aiyuk, all of whom were drafted after him in the first round. Those comparisons stung as did the lack of explosion. Jeudy never had back-to-back 100-yard efforts or seven-catch games.

There were reasons — and yes, sometimes it was because of offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s fake jet sweeps and underwhelming quarterbacks. But sometimes the reason was that Jeudy did not elevate his performance. Did he deserve the disrespect from former star receiver Steve Smith before a Chiefs game? Nope. But did he put himself in the crosshairs with too many forgettable stat lines? Yes.

Jeudy is a talented, smart player. And in the Browns, he received a new home and a lucrative new contract.

Payton wanted a change, sought something different. Jeudy is finally getting his numbers. And the Broncos are in position to play meaningful games beyond December.

Payton was right.

Monday night will show both sides are better off.

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