Browns’ Trade Bid for $130 Million Pro Bowl WR Shut Down
The New York Jets held a fire sale at the trade deadline but one name that was strictly off-limits was star wide receiver Garrett Wilson, much to the disappointment of the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland, desperate to add firepower to an offense that’s struggled to find consistency in the passing game, reportedly reached out to inquire about Wilson’s availability.
Wilson, a former Ohio State star, has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three NFL seasons. This year, he’s recorded 36 catches for 395 yards and four touchdowns, though the Jets remain the league’s only winless team.
According to Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot, the Jets quickly shut down any discussions, making it clear their young playmaker wasn’t on the table.
Wilson, a former first-round pick, would have provided the Browns with the kind of dynamic, game-changing receiver they’ve been missing this season.
“The Browns may have inquired about Jets receiver Garrett Wilson during New York’s fire sale on Tuesday, but the Jets were only interested in moving defenders — not their perennial 1,000-yard receiver and former Buckeye,” Cabot said. “The Browns also made attempts to acquire a few other players over the last couple of weeks, but nothing came to fruition.”
The Jets did end up moving two Pro Bowl talents on defense, sending defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys and cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts. That’s a score for the Browns, who will be facing the Jets on Sunday.
The Browns made one minor trade on deadline day. Cleveland shipped little-used pass-rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to the Bears along with a seventh-round pick in 2026 in exchange for a sixth-rounder.
Browns ‘Like’ Wide Receiver Group Despite Lack of Production
Getty ImagesBrowns receiver Jerry Jeudy has struggled this season.
The Browns’ passing game has struggled to find consistency, with tight end David Njoku and rookie Harold Fannin Jr. leading the way as the team’s top pass catchers. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy — expected to be the team’s No. 1 option — has managed just 22 receptions for 257 yards through eight games.
Meanwhile, Cedric Tillman has accounted for both of the Browns’ touchdown catches by a wide receiver this season, despite appearing in only four games before a hamstring injury sent him to injured reserve.
Still, head coach Kevin Stefanski has maintained faith in his receiving corps, even amid the lack of production.
“I like our guys. I like the skill sets we have with that group,” Stefanski said prior to the trade deadline. “Obviously, Andrew [Berry] and our personnel department look at everything — that’s no different than the other 31 teams. I think it’s important that you’re constantly evaluating, but I like our guys.”
Browns Get WR Cedric Tillman Back After Bye
Getty ImagesBrowns receiver Cedric Tillman is expected to return against the Jets.
Tillman is expected to make his return on Sunday against the New York Jets after missing four games with a hamstring injury. The third-year receiver was off to a promising start before being sidelined in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions, and Stefanski is optimistic about his status heading into the weekend.
“I thought Ced looks really good. He’s worked very hard in his rehab, so it looks like he’ll be good to go barring anything coming up this week,” Stefanski said. “Ced’s a good player. He’s made a lot of plays for us over his career, and it would be a big boost if we can get him out there.”
Tillman’s return could provide a much-needed spark for rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who has struggled to find rhythm through his first four starts.
“Just bringing that big-body receiver, get some more size out there,” Tillman said. “I feel like I can make some plays for this team. We have another playmaker out there and also someone who’s going to help in the run game. We have good running backs.”
The Browns are a 2.5-point road favorite against the Jets on Sunday.
Broncos QB Bo Nix Gives Strong Reaction After Trade Deadline Decision
Getty
Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the Houston Texans.
The Denver Broncos let the 2025 trade deadline come and go without getting anything done. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix offered strong thoughts about why that was. He also spoke about what it means for the team this season.
It was not as if the Broncos did not try. However, their desire fell short of what was required to make something happen.
For Nix, the decision came as little to no surprise.
Bo Nix: ‘Great’ Broncos Confident Enough to Stand Pat at Trade Deadline
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos reacts after defeating the New York Giants.
Nix fielded a question about what is says to the team that the Broncos did not go all out to add a piece. Particularly, he was asked what it says about head coach Sean Payton’s faith in the group.
Nix called it “great.”
“Obviously, if there’s a need, you want to get it,” Nix told reporters on November 4. “But we feel like we got all the pieces. And so, sometimes when something like that happens, it shakes things up. And we got something good going, and we just want to keep riding this wave and finding ways to win.”
Much of the conversation around the Broncos’ trade plans stemmed from seeking help for Nix, be it another target or protection amid injuries to their offensive line.
The Broncos attempted to bring in tight ends and explored wide receiver trades.
Their biggest addition was veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis, who will have a bit role on the field and provide a locker room presence. Other than that, it is up to Nix and his current crop of pass catchers to take the necessary next steps.
Broncos WR Reacts to Trade Deadline
GettyTroy Franklin #11 of the Denver Broncos reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts.
One of Nix’s top targets, current Broncos wideout and former Oregon Ducks teammate Troy Franklin, spoke candidly about the Broncos’ lack of action at the deadline.
According to Franklin, it was not surprising based on what they had been told.
“Sean (Payton has) been telling us all year he loves our team, loves the receiver group and we don’t really need anything, so he’s kept his word,” Franklin said, per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson in a post on X on November 4.
Payton said leading up to the deadline that the Broncos would be open to a deal. However, that was only if it provided actual value, and not just to make something happen.
Franklin “especially” did not expect a WR move, per Tomasson, but Denver explored its options.
“The Broncos did NOT make a trade before the trade deadline,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens reported on X on November 4. “From my understanding, they looked into making moves, but didn’t force anything.”
Bo Nix: Broncos Looking to ‘Improve Faster’ Than Competition
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos on the field after defeating the Houston Texans.
Nix acknowledged the Broncos’ fourth-quarter prowess has belied the difficulty of scoring. He joked that not facing a top defense like the Houston Texans in Week 9 would help. He also noted that the Broncos are far from satisfied with so much of the season left.
At 7-2, tied for the best record in the NFL, and riding a six-game winning streak is nice, but hardly their end goal.
Their main focus is continuing to improve.
“We have so many things that we want to correct. And we feel like we haven’t even played a complete game offensively, much less, as a team. And so, I think once we start doing that, then we got to be careful about being too lax. But until then, we’re all in a growth mindset, and we’re worried about the things that we can fix,” Nix told reporters on Tuesday.
“Because there’s several of them from each position that we’re trying to focus on. And until we’re hitting all the ones that we need to hit, I don’t think we’re going to be able to be relaxed. Because we have a lot of guys that are competitive. We don’t have a bunch of frontrunners. We just got a locker room full of guys that are trying to race to improve, and improve faster than everybody else in the league.”
