Smith has been critical of Jeudy in the past
Former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. unleashed on Jerry Jeudy just before his Denver Broncos took the field Thursday night.
Denver faced the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, and before the game, Jeudy and Smith crossed paths in an awkward moment that turned hostile.
Smith has been critical of Jeudy in the past, using the term "JAG" — an acronym for "just a guy" — to describe his average play. But Smith recently has been impressed with the 2020 first-round pick's play.
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Jerry Jeudy of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to the start of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium Dec. 27, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
Jeudy clearly remembered what Smith had to say about him.
"When I saw him, he's playing well. I wanted to say to him face to face, like, ‘Hey, I know I said some things in the past I probably shouldn’t have, and I'm sorry.' That's what I wanted to say to him," Smith said on the NFL Network before Thursday's game.
"His response was ‘ninja’ — I'm using the word ninja — 'I don't mess with you.' There was a curse word."
Former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. before an NFC wild-card playoff game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
So, after Jeudy's reply, Smith unleashed.
"So, I'll say it again. I'm sorry I said that you were JAG — just a guy — who's an average wide receiver they used a first-round pick on that isn't doing anything," Smith said. "I hope today that you actually show up in the way you haven't showed up in the last couple years since they drafted you.
"I'm sorry for saying you're an average wide receiver that they eventually will move on [from], and when teams call me and ask should they trade for you, I will say, ‘No, don’t trade for Jerry Jeudy. Because he is mentally unable to handle constructive criticism' from people who watch specifically [if he can] be a wide receiver. He can be a wide receiver. He's a Tier 3."
Jeudy was the 15th overall pick three years ago out of Alabama and was the second wide receiver selected in a stacked class that featured Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman, all of whom he was selected over.
But he has failed to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season and has yet to make a Pro Bowl.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy celebrates his touchdown catch during the first half of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs Dec. 11, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
In four games this season, he has 17 receptions for 208 yards, and he's still waiting on his first touchdown. His Broncos are 1-4 after losing to the New York Jets Sunday, 31-21.
