Broncos end Jerry Jeudy trade rumors amidst Patriots interest

The Patriots have been actively engaging in trade talks with a few teams since free agency started nearly two weeks ago, yet are said to be taking the patient route when it comes to actually getting a trade done.

Although that may not be a bad plan, another trade target was seemingly taken off the table on Sunday when Broncos head coach Sean Payton spoke to the media.

Within the last few days, it was reported that Bill Belichick was taking a step back from their initial interest in trading for DeAndre Hopkins due to what the Cardinals were seeking in return. Because of recent trades for receivers slightly resetting Hopkins’ potential value, backing off makes sense for the Patriots, given Arizona is staying put with their price tag.

The Browns’ trade for Elijah Moore projected the Patriots further into pursuing Jeudy and pushed them to the top of the list of teams inquiring about a trade. But Payton proclaimed that neither Jeudy nor Courtland Sutton were available for receiver-needy teams, slamming the door on all trade rumors regarding both players.

"“I see and read just like everyone else does. 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, 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.”"

Despite the Broncos listening to trade offers for Jeudy since last October, Payton was recently hired as the new head coach. His plan for the team moving forward appears to include Jeudy, who is set to enter just his fourth season in the NFL and has become an important part of the Denver offense.

But then, of course, there is the reality of a situation like this.

Over the years, many coaches and general managers have publicly shut down rumors of a top player being traded who eventually were for the right price. For example, just last year, Mike Vrabel scoffed at the idea of AJ Brown being traded, only to trade him just a few weeks later.

Given the circumstances the Broncos are under, with no first or second-round draft picks this year, it’s not impossible to believe they may change their minds within the next few weeks, especially as they hope to make themselves a contender in the AFC once again. And the Patriots have great picks to give up if they wanted to, with pick 14 and pick 46 potentially available to acquire an incredibly productive receiver that they very much need.

It may be a steep price to pay, but unless the Patriots believe there is a receiver in the draft better than Jeudy, it only makes sense to get the trade done, regardless of what Payton is saying.