Browns Out on Trade Talks for $32 Million Wide Receiver: Report
The Cleveland Browns make sense as sellers ahead of the NFL trade deadline, but reports coming from one insider indicate they prefer to buy.
Cleveland (2-5) could use a true No. 1 wide receiver given how stagnant the offense has been, both with Joe Flacco and now rookie Dillon Gabriel as the starting quarterbacks. After a career year, wideout Jerry Jeudy has taken a major step back, and Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report on Friday referred to the receiver as the Browns’ “most disappointing player” to this point in the season.
“The 2024 Pro Bowler has yet to score a touchdown in seven games and is on pace for just 624 yards,” Gagnon wrote. “That would mark the worst healthy season of the 26-year-old’s career.”
One trade target a couple of Cleveland-based radio hosts floated is New York Jets star wideout Garrett Wilson. However, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com shut down those reports/rumors on Saturday while reporting that the Browns do, in fact, want to add ahead of the November 4 deadline.
“It won’t be Jets receiver Garrett Wilson, because the Jets undoubtedly won’t part with him after they just signed him to a four-year extension in July worth $130 million, including $90 million guaranteed,” Cabot wrote. “Despite rumors on social media, the Browns haven’t given it any thought, in part because they know the Jets wouldn’t consider it, even though they’re 0-7. In fact, they probably won’t add another starting-caliber receiver until the offseason, via the draft, a trade or free agency.”
Wilson, 25, has earned $32 million total through the first four years of his NFL career.
Browns Tied to Garrett Wilson Interest by Cleveland Radio Personalities
GettyNew York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
It wasn’t just social media stirring the pot with regards to a Wilson/Browns trade, but also the “The Tony Rizzo Show” on ESPN Cleveland.
Rizzo and his guest host “Chopz” said on October 22 that they heard Cleveland’s front office was looking into Wilson’s availability.
“There’s a lot of wide receiver chatter out there with the Browns, and [general manager Andrew Berry] is sniffing around,” Chopz said. “Garrett Wilson’s name is popping up right now. … That seems like such an Andrew Berry move, because Garrett Wilson seems to be on the outs in New York because they have a new regime.”
Browns Likely to Consider Less Splashy Trade Targets Than Garrett Wilson, Particularly Considering QB Situation
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Wilson would represent a monster swing at this juncture in the Browns’ roster reconstruction, with rookie QBs in Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders likely to start for the remainder of the season.
Should neither of them set himself apart, Cleveland may use its first-round draft pick to pursue a signal-caller in a solid class of rookie QBs headed to the league in 2026.
But there is something to be said for procuring an elite No. 1 option to help whatever young player ends up becoming the Browns’ next franchise quarterback, particularly if that player is in his mid-20s and under contract through 2030 like Wilson is.
However, Cabot said Saturday it is more likely that Berry and the Browns will look for potentially less flashy additions, albeit meaningful ones of a particular type.
“They would like to land another key player or two like they did cornerback Tyson Campbell in the trade for Greg Newsome II two weeks ago,” Cabot wrote. “If the Browns can find another player or two in his prime that can help them over multiple years, they’ll try to close a deal soon.”
Broncos Add Young ‘Standout’ Playmaker to Roster Before Facing Cowboys
Turner is a rookie undrafted free agent. He began his college career at Wisconsin before finishing closer to home at Michigan State in 2024. Turner signed with the Broncos after the 2025 draft and has been a member of their practice squad since.
He will get his first taste of the regular season in Week 8.
Broncos Elevate Jordan Turner to Active Roster
The Broncos announced that “We’ve elevated ILB Jordan Turner for #DALvsDEN,” with a post on X on October 25, drawing attention to a player The Denver Post’s Luca Evans called a “camp standout.”
“Denver has added a young defender to its active roster for Week 8,” DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla wrote on October 25. “The Broncos elevated rookie inside linebacker Jordan Turner from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys, the team announced.
“Turner has yet to appear in a regular-season game, but he recorded 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss and four quarterback hits in preseason action.”
Turner certainly drew attention before the season.
In May, the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson reported, “Among the two rookie tryout players signed, I’m told LB Jordan Turner impressed the #Broncos immediately with the leadership he displayed and his ability to quickly pick up the playbook.”
Broncos Forced to Shuffle Deck at LB
Turner is not the first reserve linebacker the Broncos have turned to amid injuries and disciplinary actions. Specifically, Dre Greenlaw missed the first six games of the season with a quad injury, then received a one-game suspension for “verbally abusing” an official.
“Third ILB to get an elevation so far, joining Levelle Bailey and Garret Wallow (promoted but now on IR),” The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel.
“Makes sense to bring an LB up with Dre Greenlaw suspended.”
Turner joins starter Alex Singleton, Greenlaw’s fill-in Justin Strnad, and fellow rookie UDFA Karene Reid on the Broncos’ active roster for their tilt against the Cowboys. Whether or not he makes it into a game is another story.
Former UDFA Passed Over Again
GettyLevelle Bailey #56 of the Denver Broncos looks on before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Turner’s elevation is telling, both for him and Bailey, a 2024 UDFA who is on the Broncos’ practice squad. This marks the sixth consecutive week that the Broncos have opted against elevating Bailey. He was expected to take a step forward this season.
Like Reid (sixth among LBs in 2025), Bailey ranked among NFL.com draft analyst Chad Rueter’s list of the top UDFAs in his class.
Bailey ranked 13th in his group of free agent rookies.
He also appeared in 10 games for the Broncos as a rookie. He logged 5 total tackles and played 147 of his 152 snaps on special teams. However, Bailey has not received a call-up by the Broncos since the regular-season opener. That was a 20-12 win over the Tennessee Titans.
The Broncos have passed over Bailey multiple times. Moreover, they did so for even less experienced, unproven options in Reid and Turner. That seemingly speaks volumes.
