If George Paton wants to salvage something out of this unholy mess, the next immaculate route Jerry Jeudy runs will be along E-470. In the general vicinity of DIA.
Blow it up. Now. The Broncos’ 2022, which saw a proud franchise devolve from America’s Team to America’s Punchline in about seven weeks, is no longer fixable. The next two-plus months for Paton, the Broncos’ second-year general manager, should be laser-focused toward salvaging 2023, 2024 and beyond.
Which means selling what few assets you’ve got on hand. It means trying to recoup the five draft picks sent to Seattle in the Russell Wilson swap this past spring.
“I’m looking forward to winning a football game this week in London — that’s what our focus is on,” embattled coach Nathaniel Hackett said Monday when asked about the Nov. 1 trade deadline just before the team flew out to England.
“And these guys are all on our team. And I love them. They’ve worked so hard, and I appreciate all of them and want them here.”
Yeah, well, hard luck, old bean. The actap worn thin. When nobody’s buying it, you sell.
Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb would likely bring the best return, and he’s in a contract year. But given the mercurial health of Randy Gregory and the Week 7 injury suffered by Baron Browning, moving Chubb now would effectively tire-iron the roster’s only strength at the moment — its defense, which left for London ranked second in the NFL in fewest yards allowed per game (286.0) and third in fewest points allowed (16.4). Keep him, tag him and kick that can down the road one more year.
Melvin Gordon is a pouty mess, but if somebody calls and volunteers to clean it up for you, take it. Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam might bring back nothing better than a seventh-rounder, but thatap better than the nothing you’re getting out of him right now.
Which brings us back to Jeudy, where things get interesting. The Broncos’ first-round pick in 2020 is young (23), relatively cheap ($4.1 million cap hit this season, $4.8 million in ‘23), relatively productive (24 catches, 386 yards, two scores) and, by several accounts, more than a little unhappy.
The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reported Monday morning that the about Jeudy, a south Florida star as a teen whose college quarterback at Alabama, Tua Tagovailoa, is (literally) finding his feet again with the Phins.
Miami forfeited its first-round pick in ’23 and a third-rounder in ‘24 for its Sean Payton/Tom Brady shenanigans, but the franchise has a second-rounder and two third-rounders in play next spring and its first- and second-round picks for the ’24 draft.
The Broncos, at present, aren’t slated to make a selection until Round 3 in ’23 because of the OdoRuss swap.
Paton needs draft picks. Jeudy, who logged a season-high seven catches this past Sunday against the Jets, could use a fresh start.
Since John Elway plucked him out of Alabama with the 15th pick three springs ago, No. 10’s tenure at UCHealth Training Center has felt more than a little star-crossed.
While the kid runs silky routes, as advertised, his hands are pure stone. Drops have been an issue from the get-go. The moments in which the 6-foot-1 receiver has combined genuine concentration with his other gifts have been immaculate — the 2020 season finale vs. the Raiders immediately springs to mind — but fleeting.
Even after a strong Week 7, Jeudy’s career catch rate, per Pro-Football-Reference.com, remains an uncomfortable 52.8%. While he developed a nice rapport with Teddy Bridgewater, posting a career-best 67.9% catch rate last fall despite missing seven games, those same moments of sync with Wilson — who goes to Courtland Sutton whenever he’s in a pinch — have been few and far between (’22 catch rate: 51.1%).
Given the financial commitment toward TortuRuss, a $245-million cringe, No. 10 looks even more expendable for the right price. Ever since Jeudy’s criminal tampering charge — which was later dismissed — last May earned him a spell in the Arapahoe County Jail, he’s looked like a kid who could benefit, on several fronts, from a change of scenery.
The Broncos, meanwhile, could use an offensive overhaul. Even at peak Wilson — which he isn’t, and you’re starting to believe whispers that the ceiling’s already come and gone — this roster was never “one QB away” from a Super Bowl this fall.
The drop-off after Garett Bolles at tackle looks like the slope at a skate park. In the best of health, the offensive line was only just OK, and in the transition from Mike Munchak to new offensive line coach Butch Barry, itap noticeably regressed. With the exception of Sutton and the injured Tim Patrick, who at least could work his way open on occasion, the wide receiver room is, as they say in Texas, largely all hat and no cattle.
“But you know, George (Paton) handles that side, we’ll communicate, we’ll talk,” Hackett said. “But I’m very excited for these guys and (at) having another opportunity to win again (Sunday).”
Separately, UlceRuss and Hackett are as huggable as they come. As a tandem, they taste like peanut butter and pickles. And nothing’s cooking at Dove Valley until Paton changes the menu.
