The lights will be bright for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy when he returns to Denver to face his former team on Monday Night Football.
With a chance at revenge, Jeudy has made his feelings clear ahead of the prime-time matchup on Monday Night Football. He continued with a lighter tone saying, “You always want to beat the opposing team that you used to play for, you know, that’s just the competitive nature of us athletes.”
Jeudy had a turbulent stint with his original team and admitted that it was his request to be traded.
The former first-round draft pick got his wish and was moved to the Browns this off-season for fourth and sixth-round draft picks. Shortly after he was rewarded with a contract extension for $58m over three years before playing a snap for his new team.
His frustration with his former team makes plenty of sense. In his four years with the Broncos, he played with three different starting quarterbacks, three head coaches, and three offensive coordinators, leaving little room for continuity or growth. His final year with them was with Sean Payton, who refused to trade him before last season hoping he could become a big part of the new offense. After another disappointing season, the Broncos would finally trade him to the Browns.
Initially, the new environment didn’t help Jeudy as the Browns offense struggled with DeShaun Watson at quarterback. Now with Jameis Winston starting, Jeudy has begun to find his stride, clearing 70+ yards in each of his last four games.
Against the Saints, Jeudy crossed 100 yards receiving for the first time as a Brown and the first time since week 18 of the 2022 season. Last week against the rival Steelers, Jeudy came up clutch with 85 more yards and a third down conversion late in the game that would help seal the win.
Now he’ll face his toughest test yet since joining the Browns as he’ll be expected to face off against Broncos elite cornerback Patrick Surtain II who’s been the key component of a staunch Denver pass defense.
Despite a slow start, Jeudy only needs 22 receptions and 328 yards over the final six games of the season to set new career highs. His production against Denver will be crucial if the Browns want to upset yet another AFC playoff hopeful.
