As Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton reflected on the initial waves of free agency, he said Denver focused on finding the “exact fit” at several positions through a deliberate approach.
“We spent a lot of time targeting certain players,” Payton told Denver Broncos Sydney Jones on Sunday. “It wasn’t going to be like a year ago where we made a lot of news early. I think it was more of a slow process where we wanted to find the exact fit for a position.”
The Broncos signed four unrestricted free agents, as they added safety Brandon Jones, defensive tackle Malcolm Roach, inside linebacker Cody Barton and tackle Matt Peart to their roster. Denver also re-signed safety P.J. Locke, kicker Wil Lutz, fullback Michael Burton, tight end Adam Trautman, wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and inside linebacker Justin Strnad.
“I think the important thing with those players is the vision statement that we have and what we think they can contribute — their strengths, their weaknesses,” Payton said of Jones and Roach.
Payton said both safety and defensive tackle were “must” positions for the Broncos to fill, and he said the team may not be be done making moves.
“We’ll kind of continue to … monitor that market right now as we head into the draft,” Payton said.
While the Broncos added players at several positions, they have yet to acquire a quarterback this offseason. Both Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci remain on Denver’s roster, but Payton said the Broncos are continuing to evaluate free-agent, trade and draft possibilities at the position.
“When the offseason hit and we began to map out our plans, those plans included the current professional ranks — which are players in that market — and then also the rookie class,” Payton said. “We’re kind of in the midst of draft preparation, if you will, and have been traveling a lot [to] these pro days and these private workouts. So we’ll continue to monitor the pro market but also get ready for the April draft.”
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Schlereth referred to Jeudy as a “bust” numerous times during their mini social media brawl and even went as far as to say that he is “glad” that he is no longer apart of the team. Jeudy, who is well-known for his public altercations with former players on social media (i.e. Phillip Lindsay, Steve Smith Sr.), of course clapped back with an argument of his own:
I’m just seeing this, lol. That’s why I’m responding, but cuh, been on my **** hating and shit, but that’s what most old heads are doing now these days: hating on the young soldiers, but yall can have them Twitter fingers. I stand on business in real life.
— Jerry Jeudy⁴ March 21, 2024
As most know, Jeudy has been heavily criticized during his tenure in Denver after not performing to the expectations of the 15th overall pick. Some have claimed he has “drop issues” or “can’t block” as well as other receivers. While some of these concerns were evident during the beginning of his career, there is a gray area regarding this argument at this stage of his career. After all, Cleveland did sacrifice two draft picks in order to require his talents as well as awarding him a pricey multi-year contract extension without playing a single snap in their offense.
Jeudy, 24, caught 54 passes for 758 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games started last season for the Broncos. From an outside perspective, it may seem like these poor numbers for a starting NFL wide receiver may be solely reliant on his performance, it does not always work that way. Situations are always the key component in the trajectory of a wide receiver’s career. We can say with certainty that Jerry Jeudy has not been in the best of situations.
— MIKEY (@lmkFoo) March 11, 2024
Despite throwing 26 touchdown passes last season, former Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson did not give Jeudy the best of opportunities. Jeudy excels and thrives off middle-of-the-field targets and receiving the ball in isolation, however, Wilson thrives in throwing outside of the numbers, hence Courtland Sutton’s success in 2023. For Schlereth to claim that Jeudy only creates separation after the quarterback completes his reads is a bit comical considering Wilson would rarely make it past his first read during the last two seasons.
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At this point, Jeudy is in a make-it-or-break-it year, at least in terms of the media’s criticism. He got the contract that many players wish to have but as for now, he’s going to have to prove it to Schlereth and the rest of his doubters who claim he cannot perform at a high level. His bet moving forward is disengaging from any nonsensical comments and focusing on becoming the best version of himself on the gridiron.
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