When the Browns needed Jerry Jeudy in last week’s game against the Steelers, he delivered.
The fifth-year wide receiver collected 46 of his 85 receiving yards in the second half to help Cleveland pull off an upset win in snowy conditions — or what quarterback Jameis Winston called “true football weather.”
Since Winston has taken over as the Browns’ starter, Jeudy has seen an uptick in his production. Jeudy has collected 24 catches for 379 yards and a touchdown since Week 8. And his hot streak now leads him back to Denver, where he began his career with high expectations that never fully materialized before getting traded to Cleveland last spring.
Even though his time in Denver was defined by inconsistency, the Broncos are fully aware of the challenge he presents.
“He’s different,” safety P.J. Locke said of Jeudy, who played four seasons with the Broncos. “A lot of receivers pace themselves, but (Jeudy) is full speed and super tough to guard.”
Jeudy totaled a career-best 972 yards and six touchdowns during the 2022 season, creating buzz that the 2020 first-round pick was on the verge of breaking out as a true No.1 receiver. Instead, he took a step back, finishing the 2023 campaign with 54 catches for 758 yards and two touchdowns. He was held under 50 receiving yards in six games.
Both sides got a fresh start last March when Denver sent Jeudy to Cleveland for 2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks. The Broncos used the fifth-round pick (No. 136) in a deal with Seattle to move up in the fourth round and take wideout Troy Franklin. The sixth-round pick was sent to the Jets to acquire quarterback Zach Wilson.
Despite the Broncos and Jeudy going their separate ways, head coach Sean Payton remains an admirer of the wide receiver’s explosiveness and ability to separate. “From a talent standpoint, (Jeudy) has great hips, great transition and he has great football IQ,” Payton said.
Added Locke: “I don’t know if you ever (saw) the video of a gazelle that changed direction real quick… That’s my image of him.”
Through 11 games, Jeudy is on pace to set career highs. He has 45 catches for 645 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jeudy has averaged 14.3 yards per catch while recording at least 70 yards in six games.
Since Winston took over at quarterback in the wake of Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury, Jeudy has emerged as his top target. He’s averaged 94.8 yards in Cleveland’s last four games. During the Browns’ loss to the Saints in Week 11, he collected six catches for 142 yards — his most in a game since a 152-yard performance against the Chargers in the 2022 season-finale.
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Jeudy had a clutch 15-yard reception to set up running back Nick Chubb’s go-ahead rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter against Pittsburgh.
“(Winston will) tell somebody, ‘Hey, go get open and I’m going to find you.’ So that’s what a receiver wants,” Payton said. “Those guys have had a good connection. You see it just in the limited games that Jameis has played.”
Locke said it was always a challenge facing Jeudy during practices during his time in Denver. Locke looks forward to competing against him in a real game on Monday.
“It’s gonna be fun,” Locke said. “I know he’s gonna be hyped coming back to Denver.”
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