Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is making it clear that he’s eager to prove himself when he takes on his former team, the Denver Broncos, on Monday Night Football.
Jeudy, who spent his first four seasons in Denver, joined the Browns this offseason via trade. Cleveland acquired him in exchange for fifth- and sixth-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, a modest price for a former first-round pick.
The Broncos selected Jeudy 15th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he fell short of expectations. In 44 games with Denver, he totaled 3,053 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, failing to record a 1,000-yard season. Now, facing his old team, Jeudy has a chance to make a statement.
“My feelings? I just want to go back up there and whip their (expletive),” Jerry Jeudy said to TheLandOnDemand.com, making it clear he has a personal vendetta as he faces his former team.
One of the key matchups to watch will be between Jeudy and Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain II.
“It’s going to be a fun matchup,” Jeudy said. “I’ve known Pat since little league, competing against him my whole life. To finally get the opportunity to go against him on this big stage, it’s going to be fun.”
Broncos Expect Jerry Jeudy to Have ‘Juice Flowing’
Pat Surtain is also looking forward to the matchup with Jeudy, a player he’s familiar with from their time together in Denver and from their college days at Alabama.
“I think he’s going to be fired up,” Surtain said. “Obviously, I think he’s going to have a lot of juice going, a lot of juice flowing. He’s very competitive.
“It’s going to be like a couple of practices we shared here in the past and practices at Alabama. It’s going to be a lot of good competes.”
Courtland Sutton, Jeudy’s former wide receiver counterpart in Denver, echoed Surtain’s sentiments.
“He’s a competitor, man,” Sutton said. “I have so much love and respect for Jerry. I think he’s one of the most talented guys I’ve shared the field with. … I wish nothing but many blessings and a lot of highlights coming to him. … But going into this week, I think our defense is going to do what they need to do. He’s got a tough matchup with (Surtain).”
Jerry Jeudy Emerging as Top Option for Browns
The Browns extended Jeudy shortly after acquiring him, signing him to a three-year deal worth up to $58 million. While it was a somewhat risky move at the time, if Jeudy continues his upward trajectory, it could end up being a steal for Cleveland.
With Amari Cooper now with the Buffalo Bills, Jeudy has stepped up as the Browns’ top option in the passing game. Over the team’s last four games, he has been averaging 94.75 yards per game.
A key factor in Jeudy’s recent surge in production has been Jameis Winston taking over at quarterback. The Browns have posted a 2-2 record in Winston’s starts, with more explosive plays downfield compared to when Deshaun Watson was under center.
“Jameis is a great quarterback,” Jeudy said. “Just his energy in the locker room, on the field, I just feel like that’s the type of guy you just need around. That’s the type of guy that just motivates everybody around him and keeps everybody on the right track. That’s the type of player you need on the team.”
Despite Jeudy’s resurgence, the Browns are 5.5-point underdogs against the Broncos, according to ESPN BET.
