Sean Payton explains why it was ‘tough’ for Broncos to trade Devaughn Vele

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton took the podium after practice on Thursday, making his first comments about the team trading WR Devaughn Vele.

The Broncos were able to get back two draft picks from the New Orleans Saints in the deal, a fourth-rounder in 2026 and a seventh-rounder in 2027.

Considering Vele was a seventh-round selection in 2024, the return looks pretty solid on paper.

Sean Payton said Vele was the 26th player he’s traded in his career, and 90 percent of those moves were “easy.” However, he said Vele was in the other 10 percent — and this one was a hard decision to make.

“All the things we look for, discipline, structure, smart, tough, talented, that’s why this one was difficult,” Payton said. “He was fantastic when we visited with him. He’s gonna be a real good player for them. And so those are the tough ones. Most of the times they’re easier, but we wish him well.”

Sean Payton also noted that the Jaguars were involved in the trade talks, but ultimately when New Orleans came back with a fourth-round pick, both he and GM George Paton felt the need to pull the trigger.

“There is a point at some point, where you’re looking at the roster, you’re looking at your depth, and towards the end we felt it was something that was gonna best for the club,” Payton said.

Both second-year receiver Troy Franklin and rookie Pat Bryant have had strong training camps and preseasons. Against the Cardinals last Saturday night, Franklin had four catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant added four catches for 70 yards of his own.

“When you factor in where Troy’s at, where Pat’s at, where (Trent) Sherfield’s at. We can keep six receivers, we’re probably only going to get five to the game. And look, (Vele) may have been going to the game but there would’ve been discussion as to the six, how are we looking at our game-day. I said this a few weeks ago, I think we might have a few players playing for other teams, and here’s one,” Sean Payton said.

Vele was third on the Broncos a season ago in both catches (41) and receiving yards (475). He missed some offseason work this summer with what appeared to be a knee injury, but that was never explicitly confirmed by the team.

Clearly, the Broncos feel like both Franklin and Bryant are ready to play big parts in the offense, and Vele was expendable. Throw in No. 1 wideout Courtland Sutton, No. 1 TE Evan Engram and RBs J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, and there’s plenty of weapons on paper for QB Bo Nix.

Still, what Vele did a season ago as a late-round rookie was commendable. If other guys aren’t up for the task, maybe Sean Payton will wish Vele was still on his roster.

Only time will tell on that front.

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