Ezra Cleveland didn’t see the trade that sent him to the Jacksonville Jaguars coming at all.
A week after getting dealt to the Jaguars by the Minnesota Vikings, the 25-year-old lineman said he was blindsided when he was traded by the team that drafted him in 2020.
“It was definitely a surprise,” Cleveland said in the Jaguars’ locker room Wednesday. “My agent called me a little bit before it happened and let me know. I had no idea.”
Was Cleveland hurt that the Vikings chose to send him elsewhere?
“A little bit. I feel like anyone who was in that situation, they’d feel that way. But that’s just the NFL. It’s a new team, I’ve got to learn everybody’s names, get to know them. The o-line’s been great so far, I’m excited to play with them.”
In Jacksonville, Cleveland joins a team that has won five straight games and is two games up in the AFC South standings. The Jaguars’ 6-2 record and status as a legitimate contender made the trade easier for Cleveland to stomach. The Florida sunshine doesn’t hurt either.
“Everyone here is in a really good mood, and everyone’s been really nice,” Cleveland said. “I can’t tell if that’s from being 6-2 or … I’m sure it’s because of the sunny weather. I haven’t been in a place with a bunch of sunny weather. But no everyone’s been really nice, it’s exciting to come into a contender and hopefully I can help them out.”
Cleveland started 49 games during his three and half seasons with the Vikings. With the Jaguars, he’s expected to be a backup left guard behind Walker Little.
“If they want me to play, then I’ll play. If I’m a backup, I’ll be a backup,” Cleveland said. “I’m here to support the guys, get to know them, learn the offense the best I can, and I’ll be ready when my number is called.
“I think I got the playbook down, pretty much. There’s a few things that are different — the lingo is a little different than when I was with [Jaguars offensive line coach Phil Rauscher in Minnesota] — but in terms of just getting stuff down, I’m almost there.”
There’s a chance Cleveland won’t play much at all in 2023. But with uncertain futures for Cam Robinson and aging veterans like Brandon Scherff and Tyler Shatley, a starting role for the newly acquired lineman in 2024 wouldn’t be surprise. But first, the impending free agent would have to be re-signed.
“I do think this definitely could turn into a long-term situation for him where he could definitely compete and be in position to help us moving forward,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson told reporters Monday.
