Broncos Legends React to Jerry Jeudy's Massive Raise

On the heels of the 2023 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos surprised nobody by exercising wide receiver Jerry Jeudy's fifth-year option. The deal keeps Jeudy — the No. 15 overall pick of the 2020 draft — in Denver through 2024.

It also gives the talented young wideout a precipitous raise. In 2024, Jeudy will earn nearly five times what he will this season, going from a $2.68 million base salary in 2023 to nearly $13 million, per Over The Cap.

The Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson, whose work on the Broncos beat has been a treasure, touched base with two all-time wideouts in team history to get their reactions on the Jeudy option.

As a member of the fabled 'Three Amigos' of the 1980s, Mark Jackson provided some iconic moments in Broncos lore, including his touchdown reception to punctuate 'The Drive' in the 1986 AFC Championship Game vs. the Cleveland Browns, catching a low bullet of a pass off the golden arm of John Elway. Here's what Jackson said of Jeudy.

"He came on late last year with some pretty good stats, so I think he kind of showed what they wanted to see, an indication that he has first-round draft and number-one receiver potential. So I think it’s a good idea," Jackson told Tomasson. "I’m not sure if he’s ever going to be a 1,500-yard or a 1,800-yard receiver, but he has that potential. He has that breakaway speed. But there are only so many balls to go around.”

Ex-#Broncos WR Mark Jackson on Jerry Jeudy: "I’m not sure if he’s ever going to be a 1,500-yard or a 1,800-yard receiver, but he has that potential. He has that breakaway speed. But there are only so many balls to go around.”
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) May 1, 2023

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Ring-of-Famer Haven Moses also weighed in on Jeudy's outlook in reaction to his big raise.

"Jeudy has demonstrated that he can be one of the league's top receivers. I'm happy to see that the Broncos picked up his option. He's a game-changer," Moses told Tomasson.

Ex-#Broncos star WR and Ring of Honor member Haven Moses on Jerry Jeudy option picked up: "Jeudy has demonstrated that he can be one of the league's top receivers. I'm happy to see that the Broncos picked up his option. He's a game-changer."
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) May 1, 2023

A year ago, the outlook on Denver picking up Jeudy's fifth-year option was cloudy. After a solid rookie season, where he totaled 52 receptions for 856 yards and three touchdowns, he missed six games in Year 2 after suffering a scary ankle injury early in the campaign.

Jeudy failed to find the end zone even once in Year 2, finishing with 38 receptions for 467 yards. However, with Russell Wilson in the fold, Jeudy's third year saw him produce career-highs across the board, notching 67 receptions for 972 yards and six touchdowns to lead the team. Jeudy especially picked up steam in the final quarter of the schedule, giving him momentum entering the 2023 offseason.

Thus, it was no shock that Denver optioned Jeudy. But after being perceived mostly as a disappointment entering his third year, it shows how far he's come.

With Sean Payton in the fold, Jeudy's outlook has never looked brighter. While the Broncos are expected to deploy a power-run-oriented offense to insulate the beleaguered Wilson, there will be plenty of targets to go around and Jeudy figures to garner many of them.

Courtland Sutton could experience a career resurgence in a Payton offense that has historically pumped out big numbers statistically to its possession receivers. That bodes well for Tim Patrick, too, who's returning from a 2022 season entirely lost to a training camp ACL tear.

Throw in 2023 second-rounder Marvin Mims Jr., and KJ Hamler — provide the latter returns from his torn pec and is able to stay on the field — and the Broncos are five-deep at the wideout position.

Still, with momentum on his side, and a clear show of support from his new coach by way of the fifth-year option, don't be surprised to see Jeudy finally cash in on his first-round draft pedigree and truly break out in the NFL.

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