Maxx Crosby’s Las Vegas Raiders tied to $50 million Cleveland Browns wide receiver (Image via Getty: Las Vegas Raiders logo and Cleveland Browns logo)
Sports Illustrated’s Ryan Shea proposes a trade between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Cleveland Browns: Maxx Crosby’s franchise could acquire Cleveland’s wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, while the Browns could receive a 2026 third-round pick.As for Jeudy, he could fit into the new head coach, Klint Kubiak’s style of timing routes, play-action, and balanced distribution, as it would give him more targets and a more efficient means of production. The 26-year-old wideout, when paired with an elite quarterback and the Raiders’ estimated draft pick, Fernando Mendoza, could become a valuable and long-lasting weapon on the gridiron.
NFL Trade Rumors : Maxx Crosby’s Raiders tied to Browns WR Jerry Jeudy
Shea calls Jeudy expensive, but if Cleveland makes this trade proposal come true, it would help them address their roster needs. The third-round pick acquired in return for sending Jeudy to Las Vegas could help Cleveland utilize that pick to strengthen its offensive line, secondary, or defensive front.As for ‘expensive,’ the Alabama alum signed a three-year, $52.5M rookie extension with the Browns in 2024. It included a $6M signing bonus, $41M in guaranteed money, and a $17.5M average annual salary. The contract keeps him with Cleveland through the 2027 season.
According to Spotrac, he is scheduled to earn a $1.5M base salary and $11.9M signing bonus while carrying a $10.3M cap hit and a $16.7M dead cap value in 2026. His total career earnings over six years are $50M. Now, how would Jeudy help Tom Brady’s part-owned franchise? Las Vegas could acquire a player who can help stretch defenses, open opportunities for other receivers, and quickly elevate their passing attack. He could also be a valuable addition to a team looking to balance a rookie QB with a veteran player.
Cleveland WR Jerry Jeudy’s production could have been affected due to inconsistent QBs
As for his production value, Jeudy had a Pro Bowl campaign in 2024, posting solid stats: 90 receptions for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns across 17 games. The Cleveland Browns QBs in 2024 were Deshaun Watsons [seven games], Jameis Winston [currently with the New York Giants], and Dorian Thompson-Robinson [currently with the UFL’s Orlando Storm].In 2025, however, there was a different set of QBs: veteran Joe Flacco [currently with the Cincinnati Bengals] and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Jeudy’s production value may have declined because of QB inconsistency. He had a rough start in 2025, and late into the season, a heated sideline argument occurred between him and Sanders. Jeudy could clock just 50 receptions for 602 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games. A change of scenery could help him. But the Browns may not give up on him.
Browns may not trade their Las Vegas projected wide receiver
The Athletic’s Zac Jackson reports that Cleveland is heavily invested in Jeudy and believes that he will have a bounce-back season in 2026.But the analyst reports that the current WR room, consisting of Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, Malachi Corley, Isaiah Bond, Tylan Wallace, Jamari Thrash, and Gage Larvadain may not be able to provide full support to whoever is the quarterback in 2026 [Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, or Dillon Gabriel].The Browns may need a No. 1 wide receiver for their future, and they could target someone early in the draft as the No. 6 overall pick. If the Browns believe in Jeudy, Ryan Shea’s Las Vegas trade proposal may not see the light of day. Or would it? Only time will tell…
