Steve Smith Sr., an NFL legend and current NFL Network analyst, created headlines across the league before the Denver Broncos faced the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday.
Smith relayed to viewers an interaction he had with Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, whom Smith has criticized in the past. He has used the term “JAG” — “Just Another Guy” — to describe Jeudy.
“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.”
Smith then went in on Jeudy, revealing that he would tell inquiring NFL teams not to trade for him if asked.
“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 didn’t do much to prove Smith wrong. Though the entire Broncos offense struggled, Jeudy finished with three receptions on five targets for 14 yards.
The NFL world was quick to react to the horrible performance:
The way Smitty bodied Jerry Jeudy before he even played.
— Himothious Supreme Deluxe (@datboycoot) October 13, 2023
[Awful Announcing on Twitter]
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