tribtoday
Despite no longer being a primary target in the Cleveland Browns' passing attack, Jerry Jeudy has stepped up with crucial plays in the team's last two victories. In the Browns' 13-10 triumph over the Baltimore Ravens last week, the seventh-year wide receiver hauled in two fourth-quarter catches, including a 33-yard grab on the game-winning drive that positioned Cleveland for a field goal.
Jeudy also contributed two receptions for 27 yards on the go-ahead drive in Cleveland's 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 1. Following the Ravens win, which improved the Browns to 4-2 and a tie atop the AFC North, coach Todd Monken awarded Jeudy the game ball.
"It meant a lot to me and getting that win for our team," Jeudy said. "It was a big rivalry division game. So getting that win just meant a lot to everybody."
As the Browns prepare for Sunday's game at Tennessee (1-5), Jeudy has recorded at least three receptions in each of the past three games, yet his output through six weeks is the lowest of his career. His 220 snaps are the fewest he has played in his first six games, and he has totaled 12 catches for 150 yards.
Jeudy was aware during the offseason that his role would change after Cleveland selected K.C. Concepcion and Denzel Boston in the first two rounds of the draft. Boston took over Jeudy's starting spot as an outside receiver two weeks into training camp as Monken sought to deploy him in various alignments. Although Jeudy is lining up more in the slot than in previous seasons, he still plays nearly three-quarters of his snaps as an outside receiver.
"Of course, as a receiver, as a competitor, knowing the guy I am, it's pretty frustrating not able to perform how you know you can perform," Jeudy said before Wednesday's practice. "I could look at it two ways. I could be that guy and just feel down on myself and just fade away from the team and fade away from the NFL, or I could just go back to the drawing board and just look at the things that I need to get better at and work on to continue to better my career."
Even though Jeudy's on-field impact has decreased, he has been a veteran presence for Concepcion and Boston, who rank among the top five rookie receivers in the league. Concepcion is third in receptions (22), while Boston leads with 345 yards and is sixth in catches with 17.
"He's always doing what he's supposed to do. Always trying to show us rookies, as in me and KC, the different types of techniques and just passing on the game to us," Boston said. "And for him to go out there and be able to come clutch in those moments was just great. And then also just to see one of your leaders on your team get to get his. It was always just a great energy for the team."
After Jeudy had only two catches combined in the first three games, Monken has tried to get him more involved in the passing game. The win over the Ravens also demonstrated that the Browns finally have depth at the position. Five of Cleveland's top six players in receptions last season were either a running back or a tight end, and the team's 117 receptions and 1,467 receiving yards by wide receivers were last in the league.
"I mean, we're better with Jerry than we are without Jerry. And I think we're doing a better job of getting him involved and trying to find the places where we can use Jerry," Monken said. "And it hasn't been easy, as I said before. But he's handled it well the last few weeks, and you can see it with the confidence playing, the juice he has. And that's the biggest thing, from practice to the games, carrying that over."
Another question is whether Jeudy will remain with the Browns to share in their success. Some have speculated that he could be traded before the Nov. 10 deadline if a team needs another receiver. Jeudy was acquired from Denver in 2024 and signed a three-year extension with Cleveland.
"You see it, but you can't do nothing about it. You just continue to do what you do every day," he said.
Key Analysis
Jeudy's reduced snap count and career-low production reflect a deliberate shift in Cleveland's offensive strategy, prioritizing younger wideouts like Concepcion and Boston. Yet his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments underscores his value as a reliable veteran presence. The Browns' improved receiver depth, highlighted by their recent wins, suggests the team is better equipped to spread the ball around. However, trade speculation adds uncertainty to Jeudy's future, making his mentorship and clutch performances all the more significant in the interim.
Originally reported by tribtoday.