NFL Off-Season: Jerry Jeudy Trade, Baker Mayfield Extension

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CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Browns were quick to start the 2024 off-season with a major trade with the Denver Broncos to acquire Wide Receiver Jerry Jeudy in a splash trade the team attempted during the 2023 regular season. Now that Quarterback DeShaun Watson has another vertical passing option, the offense has a unique opportunity to get back on track. Jeudy had 758 yards and two touchdowns last season. His best year was 2022 when he recorded 972 yards and six touchdowns.

The major challenge the Browns face is getting off to a hot start with the running game. With star Running Back Nick Chubb unlikely to start the regular season after a gruesome week two injury suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the clock is ticking for the Browns to come up with a viable plan to address a what-if scenario that seems more like a guarantee. It’s time for General Manager Andrew Berry to come to terms with reality: Barring an absolute miracle, Chubb will be out Week one.

Although it’s likely Chubb will play at some point, late October would seem to be overly optimistic. Chubb will likely start playing regular season games in November at the earliest unless his recovery speeds up.

Jerome Ford was amazing at times and fairly consistent aside from a few bad games. The problem is Cleveland’s offensive identity is power run. Ford is more of an elusive Running Back who can occasionally break tackles. The solution is deceptively simple: draft a power Running Back. The draft features several viable options with Florida State’s Trey Benson, Wisconsin’s Brealon Allen, Texas’ Jonathan Brooks, and Michigan’s Blake Corrum (not as much a power runner as the others but he can break tackles).

What will the Browns ultimately do to fix the offense so set up Watson for success? Only time will tell.

The other big news is Quarterback Baker Mayfield signed an extension to remain with the Buccaneers. The former Browns and Panthers Quarterback had a very successful 2023 season and looks to make it two in a row. Mayfield passed for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2023.

The issue for Mayfield is he will possibly continue his success with someone else starting at Wide Receiver. Mike Evans will possibly leave once Free Agency begins but he wants to remain with Tampa Bay. Evans had 1,255 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.

The Kansas City Chiefs resigned Defensive Tackle Chris Jones. It would’ve been an uphill challenge for Kansas City to win their third consecutive Super Bowl without him.

Free agency begins March 13 at 4:00 P.M. Some of the most notable free agents are Quarterback Kirk Cousins, Quarterback Russell Wilson, Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, Running Back Saquon Barkley, Running Back Derrick Henry, Running Back Josh Jacobs, Running Back Tony Pollard, Wide Receiver Calvin Ridley, Defensive Tackle Christian Wilkins, Edge Rusher Za’Darius Smith, Edge Rusher Chase Young, and many others.