Turning heads.
When the Cleveland Browns traded for Jerry Jeudy back in offseason, they turned heads by immediately giving him a three-year $52 million extension before he had even taken a snap for the team.
$17 million a year for a receiver who had yet to reach 1,000 yards in his first four seasons for Denver seemed like a lot of money.
However, for those like myself who pay way too much attention to the minutia of the NFL salary cap and contracts; the deal actually made a lot of sense.
With how the wide receiver market was going, $17 million a year was the going rate for a high end secondary option at the position.
Guys like Tee Higgins, Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith and more are all making over $20 million as second options on their teams this year.
Identifying and paying talent early
Under the current regime, the Browns have a philosophy of getting ahead of the curve by identifying and paying talent early.
They have saved themselves a lot of money by extending players like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward early.
They did the same thing when they extended Jerry Jeudy after acquiring him this past offseason.
The bet was on Jeudy becoming a legitimate secondary option behind Amari Cooper, with the hopes of eventually replacing him as the number one option. And the bet has paid off.
Exceeding expectations
Jeudy has been a revelation for the Browns in 2024. He reached 1,000 yards for the first time in his career with three games left to play.
With 1,072 receiving yards, Jeudy currently ranks fifth in the NFL.
He is just 217 yards away from the second most yards by a Browns receiver in franchise history. He is also 17 receptions away from tying the most receptions in a season for a Browns receiver.
Historical production in just his first season in orange and brown.
Even more encouraging is his performances since Deshaun Watson has been out of the line-up.
In seven games without Watson, Jeudy is averaging 112 yards per game. An insight into how productive he can be with competent quarterback play.
Pennies on the dollar
Despite the criticisms at the time, the Browns decision to extend Jeudy this past offseason has saved them a lot of money.
Though he ranks seventh in receiving yards in the NFL, his yearly salary ranks 26th of all wide receivers.
With players like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins due big paydays this offseason, it is likely that Jeudy will not rank in the top 32 of wide receiver salaries heading into next season.
The Browns have their wide receiver one locked up for three years on second-option money.
The front office has received a lot of criticism this year. However, they deserve a lot of credit for what is proving to be fantastic business.
The Browns bet on Jerry Jeudy and won.
