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Trade rumors swirled around Broncos wideout Jerry Jeudy<\/a> throughout the offseason, but Denver has made it clear that he’s staying. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Broncos activated the former first-round pick’s fifth-year option ($12.9M) on Monday, extending his contract through 2024.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Although trading him for more draft capital was intriguing, keeping him is the better move because the 24-year-old flashed No. 1 WR potential last season.\u00a0<\/p>\n During the final six games of the regular season, he caught 37 passes for 523 yards and three TDs. Per<\/a> The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider, only five other WRs matched his numbers over this stretch ( Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown, Los Angeles’ Keenan Allen, Philadelphia’s DeVonta Smith, Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb, and Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson).\u00a0<\/p>\n Four of those five WRs have made a Pro Bowl, so it’s an excellent company to be in. Jeudy could continue to elevate his game under new Denver HC Sean Payton.\u00a0<\/p>\n Payton is apt at developing WRs. While he served as New Orleans HC, Saints WR Michael Thomas set an NFL record for receptions (149 in 16 games<\/a>) in 2019, and former New Orleans WR Brandin Cooks had multiple 1,000-yard seasons (2015<\/a> and 2016<\/a>).<\/p>\n If Payton taps into Jeudy’s potential, it will help Denver QB Russell Wilson, who hopes to rebound after he threw a career-low 16 TDs in 15 starts. It creates opportunities for other WRs since defenses must focus on Jeudy if he becomes elite.<\/p>\n Denver has a solid WR room that includes former Pro Bowler Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and recently drafted rookie Marvin Mims Jr. That combination could produce some offensive firepower.<\/p>\n Extending Jeudy’s contract is the vote of confidence he needs and could help Denver turn the corner after it finished last in scoring in 2022.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n