Should the Browns trade Jerry Jeudy? Our panel weighs in and is not unanimous

The Cleveland Browns find themselves in unknown territory at the top of the AFC North Division. The view is quite good. From one spot, you can actually see four states.

And what are all these white, fluffy things that keep floating by? Someone mentioned, maybe clouds?

RELATED:JEUDY “FITS THE BILL” AS A TRADE TARGET 

The Browns are having a great season and are winning games in the last portion of the fourth quarter. Kardiac Kids 2.0? We prefer a different moniker for a completely different team and era.

Myocardial Vascular Adolescents.

And as games fall off the calendar, various media outlets, Facebook fan pages, and some in the Cleveland fanbase have made a bold suggestion: The Browns should trade WR Jerry Jeudy.

Jeudy is a roller coaster. He will disappear in games, and then catch two balls in clutch situations. We have all seen this.

Would Cleveland have beaten the Baltimore Ravens last weekend if Jeudy didn’t snare that 33-yard pass from QB Deshaun Watson on a third-and-five that ended up on Baltimore’s 29-yard line with 42 seconds remaining? What about the 17-yard and 10-yard passes he caught on Cleveland’s final drive that ended with a 56-yard Andre Szmyt field goal to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers?

The NFL trade deadline is still weeks away on November 10, 4:00 (Eastern). But already, WR Marv Harrison, QB J.J. McCarthy, C Cam Jurgens, and CB Joey Porter, Jr. have been shipped off to new homes. Is Jeudy next?

Jeudy has one more year on the three-year, $58 million contract extension ($41 million guaranteed) he signed after being traded to the Browns from the Denver Broncos in 2024. He balled out in his first season with Cleveland, gaining 1,229 yards and making the Pro Bowl. He tanked his second year, with his production cut in half.

And now? He has played in all six games with three starts, has 19 targets, 12 receptions for 150 yards, zero TDs, nine first-down conversions, a 12.5 average per reception, 39 YAC, and zero drops.

Here at DBN, we have assembled some folks who are in the business of covering and discussing the Browns. Trade Jeudy, or keep him? Here’s their take.

Kenny “Mac” MacDonald

President: Ottawa (Canada) Browns Backers

Co-host: The Dawgs Podcast

LINK: OTTAWA BROWNS BACKERS
LINK: THE DAWGS PODCAST

KEEP JEUDY

Should the Browns trade Jerry Jeudy? No—keep him and build on what’s working. Jerry Jeudy needs to remain a Cleveland Brown.

Going back to training camp, there were already Browns fans and pundits looking at Jeudy as a veteran the team should trade. I understood the conversation, especially with younger receivers coming in. But having promising young players does not automatically make an experienced receiver expendable. As Browns fans, years of rebuilding have conditioned us to look ahead to the next draft pick. Eventually, we need to put that same emphasis on consistently winning football games. We cannot keep moving experienced players and assuming the next group will immediately replace everything they bring.

Anyone who plays fantasy football knows how quickly injuries can wreck a roster. Depth looks expendable right up until you need it. Why give that away when the return might not adequately replace its value? I’m not going to lie: Jeudy’s performance against Baltimore strengthened my opinion. He caught four passes for 69 yards, including the 33-yard reception that helped set up the winning field goal. That is a contribution to winning right now. The younger receivers may eventually take over, but there is value in having someone alongside them who has been there and done it. Their development and Jeudy’s contribution can happen at the same time. We do not have to choose between helping the young guys grow and keeping an experienced weapon.

I know plenty has been said about his demeanor, and I don’t always like his body language either. But frustration does not automatically mean a player has checked out. Before judging him, we should also consider his opportunities and how the offense is using him. Getting more out of the passing game is a shared responsibility. His reaction to receiving the game ball mattered to me, too. I saw a player excited to contribute and celebrate with his teammates. To me, that looked like someone who is bought in. That belongs in the conversation alongside his statistics and contract.

I would consider a trade if Cleveland had a clear surplus of dependable receivers or if Jeudy personally requested a move. Right now, I don’t see enough reason to give up that experience and depth for the sake of adding another draft pick. Keep him. Keep building his role. We have spent enough time talking about future assets. I want to see the Browns turn the talent they already have into consistent wins, and Jerry Jeudy can help them do that.

EZ Weav

DBN Staff

KEEP JEUDY

In 2025, Jerry Jeudy had the chance to showcase himself as a primary target in our offense.  Of course, the performance of the quarterback position all throughout 2025 was…challenging. No doubt that colors how one should judge his statistical accomplishments in terms of considering trading for him. However, as Browns fans are well aware, it was more than just a lack of production – he had a big problem hauling in passes and was pretty well plagued with drops, which would be the exact opposite of the thing you’d want to trade for.

Now certainly he’s not without talent; he’s a crisp route runner and often can get plenty of separation. But with the aforementioned, you’re not likely to garner much for him considering his contract ($17.5m/year). The Panthers moved up from the sixth round to the fifth round for WR Dionte Johnson in 2025, and the Jaguars gave up a seventh-rounder to get WR Christian Kirk.  These are receivers who are roughly comparable to Jeudy in terms of contract/production, so we probably can’t exactly expect a major haul, unless we find a partner that wildly deviates from this precedent.

Moreover, with the additions of receivers Denzel Boston and K.C. Concepcion in 2026, Jeudy now doesn’t have to assume the role of primary target-bearer. And in the limited opportunities he’s been called upon this year, he’s been fairly reliable. Would that some of those targets last week had gone to him instead of Isaiah Bond, but I digress.

At that point, the only real impetus to move him would be either because we need to immediately clear cap space (which we don’t) or in order to clear room for some promising WR prospect we’ve got on the roster (which we also don’t). Why bother moving a guy that’s currently serving a complementary role when the compensation is nil and the replacement options bleak?

That said, if it’s something like what the Steelers got for Johnson earlier in 2025 (CB Donte Jackson and a 6-7 pick swap were on the table) – and not necessarily at CB but just a competent, veteran player that can fill a role, then I might be down. Don’t expect that to be the case, though, so I say keep him and have him help take some of the attention off our stud rookies, as we try to win some games out here. 

Glenn Bam Caudill

DBN Regular

KEEP JEUDY

Keep Jerry Jeudy (JJ). Before examining every factor involved, I have been saying trade JJ.  Since Kevin Concepcion Jr and Denzel Boston have taken the starting jobs, reducing the amount of time JJ is on the field, one has to ask what a trade would look like. Factors such as value, depth, cost, and the locker room come into play. He is said to be a good blocking receiver, and we have never heard of any drama he caused. 
 
The Browns often have depth issues on the team, but they also have receivers Isaiah Bond and Malachi Corley. It’s tough to know if this team can make the playoffs this year with a weaker schedule that they have. If you were confident of a playoff berth and a deep run into the playoffs, JJ would be a perfect depth piece. I felt like he had a high drop rate as a Brown. This is where you are not counting how many drops he has had, but how often he has dropped one. 

Jerry Jeudy (JJ) had these stats for 2024: 13 drops (9% drop rate among the highest in the league), 90 receptions, 145 targets, 62% catch rate, 1,229 yards, and 4 touchdowns. Good enough for a Pro Bowl berth. To be fair, JJ didn’t have much in the way of QBs throwing to him last year, and the Browns offense was bad.

2025 stats: 10 drops (9.4% drop rate ranked #2 in the league), 50 receptions, 106 targets, 47.2% catch rate, 602 yards, and two TDs.  

2026 has been dreadful for our offense due to dropped passes.

Player/ Targets/Receptions/ Dropped Passes/ Drop Rate-Catchable Target

Isaiah Bond: 8/ 5/ 3/ 37.5%

Jerry Jeudy: 9/ 8/ 1/ 11.1%

KC Concepcion: 20/ 18/ 2/ 10.0%

Denzel Boston: 17/ 16/ 1/ 5.9%

The Brown got JJ for fifth-and sixth-round picks in 2024 and signed him to a three-year extension.

• Total Maximum Value: Up to $58,000,000
• Base Contract Value: $52,500,000
• Guaranteed Money: $41,000,000 (fully guaranteed at signing)
• Average Annual Salary: $17,500,000
• Signing Bonus: $6,013,000

After looking at all this data, JJ is an expensive role player with a fourth-round value minimum who is getting reduced play from this coaching staff, but it looks like he should be getting more snaps than Concepcion, who does need to play so he can develop. But I want to win now regardless of the playoffs or the draft. Bond is having a bad start to the year, and he will have a tough time catching up unless more injuries hit the WR room. Bottom line: get JJ more snaps, work in Concepcion gradually, and let Bond work on his game during practice.

Jacob Amstel

Sports Illustrated/Big Play

KEEP JEUDY

There has been a lot of chatter about the Cleveland Browns trading Jerry Jeudy prior to the November 10th trade deadline. He has been a disappointment after a career year in 2024. His 2025 season was mired with crucial drops and no production, and this season he has been usurped by rookies Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion. However, Andrew Berry might want to think twice about trading the veteran. 

The Arizona Cardinals got a second-round pick for the disappointing Marvin Harrison Jr., but the haul for Jeudy will be nowhere near as lucrative. Harrison Jr. is younger, on a rookie contract, and reunited with the quarterback that made him a first-round pick. Jeudy has an expensive contract and has a longer track record. Trading him will not result in draft picks that will make a considerable difference. The Browns have three fourth-round picks, and they are no longer relying on those middle-to-late-round picks to contribute right away, making those picks less valuable. 

The receiving room is very young as it is led by the two aforementioned rookies and a second-year undrafted free agent, Isaiah Bond. Jeudy provides a veteran presence for the youngsters to look up to, ask questions, and learn to get through their first full NFL season. When Concepcion got injured against the New York Jets, it increased Bond’s role in the offense, and he failed to make multiple key catches. Keeping Jeudy will provide depth in case of another injury. 

Rod Bluhm

Co-Host: The Browns Blitz

LINK: THE BROWNS BLITZ PODCAST

KEEP JEUDY

When the 2026 season opened, it felt like a foregone conclusion that Jerry Jeudy would be traded to a team in need of wide receiver help. As the Cleveland Browns approach a Week 7 game at Tennessee, it appears far less likely to happen for several reasons. The team’s 4-2 record warrants hanging onto vets who could contribute should the winning continue.  The season is simply not the reset most expected.  

Jeudy’s recent performance has been a pleasant surprise.  His four receptions against the Ravens were tone-setters and played a major part in the victory. Depth at receiver doesn’t feel like the strength it appeared to be. Isaiah Bond has been underwhelming, ceding playing time to Jeudy.  KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston have been great; however, there has been little consistency behind them. 

Jeudy’s veteran presence could help if the team makes a serious run this season. This all makes a trade far less likely and seemingly unwise. Of course, with the right compensation, everything is for sale.  

Kristy Acuti

Administrator: Browns Fans Only Facebook Fanpage

Cleveland Channel 13 contributor

Co-host: TMDEPodcast

Co-host: FirstTeam

LINK: BROWNS FANS ONLY FACEBOOK FANPAGE

TRADE JEUDY

When we first acquired Jeudy, I was excited. He was a decent #2, and I thought we’d be able to utilize him well. In his first season with us, I was right. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection, but it’s almost like it went to his head because in his second year, he was targeted 106 times, but caught less than half that. He had only 602 yards for the whole season.

I was ready to get rid of him halfway through last season, but as the Browns always do, they didn’t listen to me. Starting this season off has certainly been slow, and it’s no wonder Jeudy is the backup to a rookie and taking more of a backseat to WR Isaiah Bond also. The first four games haven’t looked any better than how he left off last season. Against Jacksonville, he had four targets, but only caught two. In Tampa, he was targeted once and dropped it. Thursday night at home against Pittsburgh, he actually caught all three thrown to him for 36 yards. Okay, a little better, and then versus the Jets, he’s thrown the ball seven times and only caught three of them, 3!!!!

His catch rate is less than 50% for the season. Then we play Baltimore at home. Jeudy shocked the heck outta me and actually caught all four passes from QB Deshawn Watson. Was he rusty? Did he need motivation? More targets during practice because Concepcion was out?

I don’t know, but now it’s making it harder to want to pass him off to the next team. I think we can shop him around, see what we could get for him, and if the price is right and he’s still sitting at 50%, we unload him in November. He’s gotta know his time is running out if he keeps playing, or lack thereof, the way he has been trending before Baltimore. I shouldn’t complain too much, though; he did great against our AFC North rivals. So yeah, it’s a toss-up right now on whether I’d keep him or not.

Barry Shuck

DBN Staff Writer

TRADE JEUDY

The Browns are in a good position right now. They have a positive record and are tied for the division lead. But there are 11 games remaining, so let’s not purchase expensive gifts just because a Powerball ticket was purchased.

The value with Jeudy is his leadership with four young receivers: Harold Fannin, KC Concepcion, Isaiah Bond, and Denzel Boston. But after this year, all of that will disappear. The only coaching each one of the youths will need (and expect) will come from the coaching staff.

Jeudy’s career in Denver was two seasons of meh production. Then the Pro Bowl year, followed by more mediocrity, including this year. But lo and behold, he has come through at the best portion of several games, and got Cleveland in a position to at least attempt to win the game. That in itself deserves a huge mention.

Which may make him a hot commodity despite his less-than-average stats. Maybe another team’s GM can look past the numbers and see Jeudy’s impact on the field and will send the Browns a draft pick they can then parlay into a dependable backup offensive lineman.

But make no mistake: Jeudy is not worth being paid the $17.5 million he is receiving to catch the 12 balls he has secured this year. Yes, Jeudy is known for his dropped passes. In his NFL career, he has 41, of which 23 have occurred since he relocated to Northeast Ohio. But this year, he has zero.

Going into his contract year, it would make sense for GM Andrew Berry to move Jeudy. He won’t extend a guy with mediocre numbers for two seasons in a row, so at least get something for him. Presently, Jeudy has had several great catches at the exact time in various games that placed the Browns in a position to win.

Which means, right now, Jeudy’s meter is hot. Plus, he is just 27 years old. After the season is over, Cleveland will get zilch as he hits free agency. It comes down to getting something for him or getting nothing.

What say you, Browns fans: Should Jerry Jeudy be traded or not?