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Daniel Oyefusi, ESPN
DENVER — Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, playing his first game in Denver since being traded by the Broncos in March, recorded a career-high nine catches for 235 receiving yards and one touchdown in Cleveland’s 41-32 loss Monday night.
It was the most receiving yards by a player in his first game against a former team in NFL history, according to Elias Sports Bureau research, but Jeudy said he would trade all the yardage for a win.
“Hell yeah, I would,” Jeudy said. “They can have that. I need that W. That was one step closer to get to the playoffs. We need that.”
The Broncos drafted Jeudy with the No. 15 pick in the 2020 draft. But after four inconsistent seasons in Denver, the Broncos traded him to the Browns for fifth- and sixth-round picks in 2024.
Jeudy did his part in helping the Browns (3-9) nearly pull off another upset, including a 70-yard touchdown catch and 2-point conversion that brought Cleveland to within 28-25 early in the third quarter. But a pair of pick-sixes from quarterback Jameis Winston — including one on a potential winning drive with 1:48 remaining — ultimately cost the Browns as they clinched their 22nd losing season since returning to Cleveland in 1999.
Jeudy was booed by the crowd at Empower Field at Mile High after every catch. And he played into it, placing his hand near his ear and gesturing to the fans for more after his 2-point conversion.
Asked about the booing, Jeudy said, “There were a lot of boos, huh? What that mean? A lot of catches, too.”
“They only boo you,” Jeudy said, “when they know there’s something great in you.”
The change in scenery was something Jeudy desired. He told ESPN he requested a trade for two straight seasons before Cleveland and Denver finalized a deal. Days after the trade, Jeudy signed a three-year extension worth $58 million.
“It just wasn’t working over there,” Jeudy told ESPN ahead of the Broncos matchup. “I felt like I was a way better player than they used me as. I wanted to go somewhere that would use me, see my full potential and take advantage of it.”
After a slow start over the first seven weeks of the season, Jeudy has been one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL. Since Week 8, when Winston took over as the starter for injured Deshaun Watson, Jeudy leads the NFL in receiving yards (614).
And after Monday night’s performance, he is tied for fifth in the league with 880 receiving yards, putting him on pace for his first 1,000-yard season.
“He’s phenomenal,” Winston said of Jeudy. “We knew, beginning of the week, what time it was. He was hungry. He was preparing and he was ready to get back here and show up and show out and he did. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get this win for him, but I’m happy that he had a career day. I’m happy that he did amazing. He’s an amazing receiver.”