With every victory the Cleveland Browns add to their surprising start, the more likely it becomes that they will stay the course. Any plans that may have been under consideration for this season are now primarily focused on the Browns making the playoffs.
That is why Deshaun Watson is still the starting quarterback, with his fifth game-winning drive under his belt after a 27-24 triumph against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. It is also why players who may have been bound for the trade market are more likely to remain on the team.
Foremost among them is wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, a veteran who was seen as possibly expendable with the emergence of rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. But even after Concepcion’s breakout game, Jeudy still has a valuable role in the offense.
The Browns are reportedly taking a firm stance on Jeudy’s future in Cleveland, with ESPN insider Adam Schefter saying that a trade “seems unlikely.”
“With Cleveland in the postseason mix and Jeudy maintaining a good attitude despite the emergence of rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston at wide receiver, sources say his chances of being traded is viewed as less likely. The Browns aren’t shopping Jeudy at all, and the price is high. It would take a premium deal to get Cleveland to move on — even if general manager Andrew Berry is open to discussing any deal. But as of right now, a Jeudy deal seems unlikely,” Schefter wrote.
A slow start to the season included Jeudy going without a catch on just one target in Weeks 2 and 3 and displaying disappointment on the sidelines. It was thought that he might be worth more to the rebuilding Browns as a trade piece rather than as a disgruntled third wide receiver.
But he showed the value he could have with two important catches in a Week 4 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and another important grab in the Week 6 victory against the Baltimore Ravens. He matched his modest season-high with four catches against the Titans, but they resulted in only 21 yards, and he still does not have a touchdown after seven games.
Yet, off to one of its best starts in franchise history, Cleveland is in first place in the AFC North. So the Browns may not want to mess with a good thing, with the trade deadline in a little more than two weeks.
With a “rookie wall” potentially coming for Concepcion and Boston, Jeudy could wind up playing a very important role down the stretch and help the Browns secure an unexpected playoff berth.
NEXT: KC Concepcion Joins Elite Company After Career-High Performance
