Jerry Jeudy was better at space than NASA. But he never posted stats that were out of this world.

Jerry Jeudy ran elite routes, but the finish rarely reached the end zone.

Jerry Jeudy needed consistency and couldn’t overcome the merry-go-round of chaos with head coaches (four) and starting quarterbacks (seven).

As a first-round draft pick by the Broncos in 2020, Jeudy wasn’t bad. He simply wasn’t good enough, especially as his salary increased and his interest waned when he wasn’t the main target last season.

Jeudy, 25, returns to Denver with the Cleveland Browns on Monday night, and it’s clear both teams are doing better. Jeudy signed a three-year, $52 million contract extension in March and is on pace to set career highs with 70 receptions and 997 yards.

The Broncos have virtually surpassed Jeudy’s production this season, with rookies Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin making minimum salaries. Jeudy has 45 catches for 645 yards and two scores. Vele and Franklin combined for 51 receptions, 551 yards and three touchdowns. The same goes for Lil’ Jordan Humphrey (29, 267, one), who replaces Tim Patrick (21, 306, zero).

It hurt. But in both cases, Sean Payton was right to leave Jeudy and Patrick behind.

Jeudy needed a fresh start. He was supposed to pair up with Russell Wilson last season, but that never happened. Wilson excelled at buying time, and Jeudy was free too often because Wilson lowered his eyes and spun out of the pocket.

Courtland Sutton quickly realized last season that he should play level with Wilson and work his way back to the ball, which led to 10 points. Jeudy finished the game with two touchdowns and failed to record a 100-yard game, which understandably frustrated him because he felt like he was “always open.”

At the end of the season, Jeudy requested a trade. He didn’t have to ask. Payton was ready to move on. The trainer’s mission is to transform a la carte meals into meals with recipients. And since Jeudy wasn’t in line to be the No. 1 pick — a role he was toying with at the end of the 2022 season — it didn’t make sense to keep him.

Decisions like these have made the Broncos one of the most surprising teams in the NFL and a favorite to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Do you want it warm and cozy? Buy a teddy bear or watch a Hallmark movie. Payton isn’t the sentimental type, aside from a few favorites.

For Jeudy, the Broncos received fifth- and sixth-round picks in 2024, one of which was used to acquire backup quarterback Zach Wilson and another to trade up and draft Franklin. If Payton or general manager George Payton deserve criticism – and both do – it is for not shipping Jeudy earlier when he had more value at the 2022 and 2023 trade deadlines.

There is irony in Jeudy. Bo Nix is ​​the type of quarterback who maximizes the receiver’s potential. But not for the money needed to keep him. Not at the expense of Payton’s desire to continue to shed his skin and deepen the culture with younger, hungrier players.

The move is starting to pay off for Jeudy. He has at least 70 receiving yards in the last four games since Jameis Winston took over for the injured and out-of-favor Deshaun Watson. Adept at turning quick shots into big gains, Jeudy has honed his improvisation skills over the last month. I’m happy for Jeudy. He had to go where he was wanted.

But he won’t be missed.

Vele is quickly becoming a reliable player, his sticky fingers and long frame leaving him open in the middle of the field. He’s the reason I agreed with the decision to cut Patrick. Everyone loves Tim. Vele is an updated version of him.

Franklin was slow to start but continues to improve. He should become a real threat before the end of the season. And even Marvin Mims Jr., who has been in witness protection for months, has found a gadget role after the prediction that he would take Jeudy’s snaps never came to pass.

For Jeudy, the upside was enticing, but the results were disappointing. As a rookie, he dealt with drop issues. He overcame that through hard work, but never gained as much traction as CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson and Brandon Aiyuk, all of whom were drafted after him in the first round. These comparisons hurt, as did the lack of an explosion. Jeudy never had two consecutive 100-yard attempts or seven-catch games.

There were reasons — and yes, sometimes it was due to offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s fake jet sweeps and poor quarterbacking. But sometimes the reason was that Jeudy wasn’t improving his performance. Did he deserve the disrespect of former star receiver Steve Smith before a Chiefs game? No. But did he target himself with too many forgettable stat lines? Yes.

Jeudy is a talented, smart player. And with the Browns he received a new home and a lucrative new contract.