Jerry Jeudy Responds To Steve Smith Calling Him "Just A Guy" Last Season
Nobody likes being criticized, especially on national television.
Which is why new Browns wideout Jerry Jeudy didn't take so kindly to NFL legend turned analyst Steve Smith Sr. calling him "just a guy," in a pregame rant that went viral last season.
Naturally, the clip became one of the first points of reference for critics of the Browns trade for Jeudy over the weekend, which saw Cleveland send fifth and sixth round picks in this year's draft to Denver for the former No. 15 overall pick.
In his first press conference as a member of the Browns, Jeudy was asked about Smith Sr.'s targeted barb. Regardless of what the retired Panthers and Ravens wideout might think, Jeudy believes his tape speaks for itself.
"I always say the eye in the sky don't lie," said Jeudy. Put on the tape, put on the film. Some games I didn't have my best game but I'm gonna control what I can control. If you turn on the tape, turn on the film you really can see what I'm capable of doing, even though the stats not really showing what it's saying. Like I said you turn on the tape, turn on the film, you'll see something totally different."
Statistically speaking, Jeudy's not wrong. His numbers in Denver over the last four years haven't live up to the expectations that came with being a first-round pick in 2020. His most productive campaign was in 2022 when he caught 67 passes for 972 yards and six touchdowns.
It also happened to be the first year he had any sort of consistency at the quarterback position, as Russell Wilson came over via a trade with Seattle that offseason. Year two with Wilson didn't go quite as well, with Sean Payton taking over as head coach. In 16 games, the Alabama product caught 54 passes for 758 yards and two scores.
Payton started implementing his own philosophies and a transitional year ended with Denver finishing 8-9. There were guaranteed to be changes this offseason. Wilson's release was one, Jeudy being shipped to the Browns was another.
Now the 24-year-old comes to Cleveland with a chance to catch passes from Deshaun Watson and play alongside his idol, Amari Cooper. It represents a fresh start for Jeudy, who's glad Steve Smith's words didn't carry much weight inside the Browns front office.
"They didn't' let one person stop them from knowing the true me," he said. "They understand the game of football. You know, some people got their opinions on me and some people think otherwise. I didn't affect me in no type of way, it didn't affect the Browns. I know the Browns didn't really listen to what Steve Smith had to say, they just turned on the tape to see if it's really true or not. And they turn on the tape and see it wasn't true, what he said."
