The highlight reels never lived up to the hype. Four years in Denver left Jerry Jeudy carrying a reputation he didn’t expect — one of unfulfilled promise. Now, with his Cleveland Browns career off to a hot start, he’s finally pulling back the curtain on why things never clicked with the Denver Broncos.
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Why Does Jerry Jeudy Say Denver Never Worked Out?
The answer came during a recent appearance on Nightcap, when Shannon Sharpe pressed Jeudy directly: “Why weren’t you able to replicate in Denver what you’re currently doing in Cleveland?”
Jeudy didn’t dodge the question. “One, I think, just consistency throughout the whole offense. You know, and just a lot of moving pieces and a lot of stuff that I had to deal with when it comes to playing football,” he said. “Such as injuries, different quarterbacks each and every game, different coaching staff. So, that’s something that can really affect a raw receiver.”
The 2020 first-rounder’s four years in Denver featured constant upheaval. Jeudy caught passes from Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater, Russell Wilson, and several backups. He also played under three different head coaches, with offensive systems shifting year to year. That instability made it nearly impossible for the young receiver to find rhythm or establish chemistry in a franchise still searching for direction.
By the time the Broncos traded him to Cleveland in March 2024, Jeudy was considered an underachiever. But with the Browns, the narrative had completely flipped. In his first season with Cleveland, he achieved career highs in catches and receiving yards, showcasing the polished route-running and separation skills that earned him a top-15 pick in the 2020 draft.
What Does Jeudy’s Honesty Mean for Cleveland in 2025?
Jeudy’s candid comments highlight how Denver’s offensive chaos stunted his development. In Cleveland, the opposite has been true. Kevin Stefanski’s system has provided the structure he needed, and Jeudy has become a central piece in an offense now working through its quarterback competition with veteran Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
His accountability also matters for team chemistry. Rather than deflecting blame, Jeudy acknowledged the impact of external factors while emphasizing how consistency fuels a receiver’s production. That message resonates in a Browns locker room eager for stability on offense after recent roster changes.
The departure of Amari Cooper, who rejoined the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year deal, only magnifies Jeudy’s importance to Cleveland’s success. Without Cooper drawing top coverage, Jeudy has the opportunity to step firmly into the role of the Browns’ go-to receiver. His ability to win on third downs and provide reliable separation makes him a stabilizer in an offense trying to establish its identity before Week 1.
For Browns fans, the interview wasn’t just a look back at old frustrations. It was a reminder that Jeudy is positioned to be the player Denver never saw and that Cleveland believes it acquired a difference-maker just as he enters his prime.