Why A Jerry Jeudy Career Revival Is A Good Bet
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns traded a fifth and sixth round draft pick to the Denver Broncos to get Jerry Jeudy who has been a bit inconsistent the last couple of years, but he’s going to see his career take back off with his new team.
There were some who believed the Browns might take Juedy as just a flyer but it’s clear the Browns have faith that he can be a difference maker for years to come. The Browns locked up Jeudy for three more years on a $52.5 million contract.
During Jeudy’s career he has caught 211 passes for 3,053 yards and 11 touchdowns, but the quarterback play was inconsistent. In 2023 he caught 54 passes for 758 yards, and two touchdowns. There were games where Russell Wilson and company didn’t even really look his way.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has made it clear that he’s excited about a couple of specific traits from Jeudy that will make him a difference maker in Cleveland.
“We’re excited about adding Jerry to that room,” Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s another talented player. He can win in a variety of ways. We just think if you add good players to complement what you have already, it makes life easier on the other guys as well. Jerry’s a guy that we’ve spent a lot of time on both as he was coming out and over the past few years. Really like his skill set, like his ability to separate, like his ability to make plays with the football. …
“I mean, he has the speed, the acceleration, the burst to make plays down the field, so we’re excited about the skillset, we’re excited about the person.”
Stefanski is one of the best offensive coaches in all of football, and he’s going to create plays to get Jeudy open. Amari Cooper is also back with the Browns, which is going to open up even more opportunities for the former 15th overall pick. Last season Cooper caught 72 passes for 1,250 yards, and five touchdowns.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson dealt with a shoulder injury last year which really hurt his production but the expectation is that he will be fully healthy to start the 2024 season. The first couple of years for the Browns have been inconsistent, but he still has the skillset to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. In 2020 with the Houston Texans. Watson threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. If Watson can get back to that production, Watson will be the best quarterback that Jeudy has played with in the NFL. Watson has made it known this offseason he’s excited for what Jeudy brings to Cleveland.
“I’ve known pretty much since I got traded that was an opportunity that AB wanted to get done,” Watson said. “It took a little minute, but he got it done, and I think he’s going to be a great addition with Amari and Elijah. Those three guys have already been together this offseason. Very similar types of guys from the same similar area, so it’s going to be fun to toss the ball around to those guys.”
There is a lot of pressure on Jeudy with the new contract numbers, and if he doesn’t perform, there is going to be a lot of pushback from fans, but it’s hard to imagine that Jeudy doesn’t have a career year in 2023. Cooper is going to take away the defense’s first option, and that alone is going to open up more options. Even if Watson isn’t ready early in the season, Jameis Winston will start, and he’s a gunslinger who will give Jeudy plenty of opportunities.
Jeudy’s talent was held back in Denver because of the quarterback play, something that isn’t going to be an issue in Cleveland. At the end of the three year deal, the deal for Jeudy is going to look like a steal because he’s going to quickly prove to the league why he’s still one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
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