Broncos coach Sean Payton addresses reports of team 'shopping' Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton

On3 imageby:Nikki Chavanelle03/26/23

NikkiChavanelle

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton addresses reports of team shopping Jerry Jeudy Courtland Sutton
Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton wasn’t interested in throwing the media a curveball this week, directly addressing reports that the team might be shopping wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton.

Payton told NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero in no uncertain terms that the Broncos aren’t interested in trading the former first and second-round receivers.

“I see and read just like everyone else does,” Payton said. “Then occasionally, when someone really crowds the plate, I throw a fastball right at their chin, and they back up, and they’re like, ‘Alright.’ And so I haven’t thrown any fastballs lately, but we’re not trading those two players.

“When people call and the phone rings like it does this time of year, (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.”

According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Broncos would only consider at least a first round pick for Jeudy.

The New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys were reportedly the teams calling the Broncos with interest. Since those reports surfaced in the last two weeks, the Cowboys have added veteran wideout Brandin Cooks from the Texans.

Last season, Jeudy had 67 receptions for 972 yards and six touchdowns. Sutton added another 64 receptions for 829 yards and two scores.

Broncos QB Russell Wilson undergoes offseason surgery

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson underwent arthroscopic knee surgery but should be good to go for OTAs, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Russell dealt with the issue for a few seasons, according to the report. His play dropped off significantly in a down year for Denver in 2022. 

Going into the next season, his second with the team and first under new head coach Sean Payton, it could turn around.

In 2022, Wilson had one of the worst seasons of his career as he finished with new lows in both completion percentage (60.5%) and passing touchdowns (16). Despite many touting Denver as a potential postseason contender, the Broncos finished with a 5-12 record.