The Denver Broncos made several high-profile changes to the roster during the 2024 offseason. They cut Russell Wilson and Justin Simmons among the most notable moves. They also traded former first-round pick Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns.

According to Jeudy, nothing that happened in his situation came as a surprise.

“It didn’t come out of the blue at all,” Jeudy said after practice on August 4, per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson on August 5. “I’m the one that decided that. I made the decision to come (to Cleveland) and I’m excited with my decision. … I actually came up to (the Broncos) and asked that I wanted a new atmosphere, a new change of scenery.

🚨 DW4 long ball to JEUDY 🚨@deshaunwatson x @jerryjeudy pic.twitter.com/QgMexIpNrV

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 4, 2024

Jeudy said he approached Head Coach Sean Payton with his request.

Payton declined, telling Jeudy that the Broncos loved him and wanted him to remain with the organization.

Jeudy, who also clashed with the media, said the Broncos understood his position after the season. The Broncos traded Jeudy to the Browns on March 13 and signed him to a three-year, $52.5 million contract extension on March 19.

Jeudy said he decided upon the Browns due to their previous interest.

Jerry Jeudy Hopes to Reach ‘Full Potential’ After Trade From Broncos

Jeudy, the No. 15 overall pick by the Broncos in the 2020 draft, also revealed why he felt he needed a change of scenery and asked for a trade.

“I want to be able to reach my full potential and I feel like that wasn’t going on (in Denver),” Jeudy said, per Tomasson. “So hopefully I get to be able to grow and win games and reach the goals that I want to reach.”

Jeudy set career highs in 2022 with 67 receptions for 972 yards and six touchdowns.

However, he followed that with a 54-758-2 line amid a tumultuous season for the Broncos that saw Payton and Wilson bump heads in 2023.

“I wouldn’t just say it was Payton’s system,’’ Jeudy said about his step back, per Tomasson. “It’s just a lot for a receiver. You need everything to come together and connect all at once to be able to get the ball a lot.”

Jeudy notably slides into a similar role in Cleveland behind top option Amari Cooper.

Jeudy said that Broncos top wideout Courtland Sutton was “his dawg” and that he still keeps in touch with him and several other former teammates.