Ezra Cleveland on trade to Jaguars: ‘It was definitely a surprise’

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. Other than that, I’m excited to be here and I’m excited to play for these guys.”

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 him — 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.