The tug between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson for the QB1 position has reached a boiling point. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, affected by the spillover, has revealed his stance on it.

“For a receiver, it’s always good to be able to have your quarterback consistent years,” Jeudy told reporters on May 27. “So that’s only going to help you to build chemistry. So being able to have Deshaun and Shedeur back this year and Dillon, all those guys that I played with last year, is a great feeling. You don’t get that too often.” 

Jeudy arrived in Cleveland after a trade with the Denver Broncos in 2024. In his six-year NFL career, the wide receiver has played for five full-time coaches, six offensive coordinators, and 14 different starting quarterbacks. 

His first season with the Browns was his career-best. He played in all 17 games and made 90 receptions from 145 targets. He recorded 1,229 receiving yards and scored four receiving touchdowns. Jeudy’s reception that season became a franchise record. 

He became the fifth receiver in the Browns’ history to reach the 1,200-yard mark.

However, his performance last season was a different story. Jeudy’s 50 receptions and 602 yards in 2025 were his career’s second-lowest stats. However, the most alarming aspect of Jeudy’s play last year was his drop rate. 

The Browns logged 27 drops last season, and nine of those came from Jeudy. It didn’t help that Jeudy, the 27-year-old, played for two rookie quarterbacks in that season. Both Sanders and Dillon Gabriel scored just seven touchdowns each. While Gabriel threw two interceptions, Sanders threw 10.

In the 2026 draft, the Browns picked two new wide receivers, KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. After this move raised questions about Jeudy’s place on the team, general manager Andrew Berry reassured that Jeudy is here to stay.

Amidst Uncertainty Over QB1 Role, Jerry Jeudy Is Focusing On Growth

Jerry Jeudy has been taking first-team reps during practice. His agenda is clear: improving himself. 

“I just focus on what I’m capable of doing and consistently grinding and working to be the best version of myself and just do whatever I need to do to help the team win,” Jeudy said. “So if that’s to be the bell cow, then I’m the bell cow. Whatever that means, I’m just here to help them win and be the best version of myself.” 

His comments reflect GM Andrew Berry’s stance on him post the 2026 draft when he called Jeudy the Browns’ “bell cow.”

This season is a significant one. This is Todd Monken’s first season as the Browns’ head coach and the year Watson’s five-year, $230 million contract expires. Watson hasn’t played since October 2024 due to an injury.

The Browns are undergoing significant changes for a better season, counting on Jeudy. Will he repeat his 2024 success once again? What is your take?

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar