Jerry Jeudy vs. Steve Smith Sr. beef, explained: Former WR details issues with 'average' Broncos wideout

Kyle Irving

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Jerry Jeudy vs. Steve Smith Sr. beef, explained: Former WR details issues with 'average' Broncos wideout image

"Thursday Night Football" between the Chiefs and Broncos hadn't even kicked off before fireworks were flying at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

NFL Network was on hand to cover the Week 6 primetime matchup, with Mike Garafolo and Steve Smith Sr. reporting live from the sidelines as the two teams warmed up.

Garafolo was explaining how he enjoys how the players on the field interact with Smith, coming up to him to share some words of encouragement before games get started. He used young Chiefs WR Skyy Moore as an example before pivoting to a different player whose interaction with Smith wasn't so smooth.

MORE: What did the Broncos trade for Russell Wilson?

Apparently, Smith and Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy had a little bit of a heated exchange ahead of the game.

Garafolo gave Smith the floor, where he explained where the beef started.

Jerry Jeudy vs. Steve Smith Sr. beef, explained

Smith did not mince words when explaining his interaction with Jeudy ahead of the Broncos' Week 6 "Thursday Night Football" matchup with the Chiefs.

"I called out to [Jeudy] because, on my podcast, 'Cut To It,' I talked about guys that maybe have not showed up in a way or in a manner. The word that I've used to describe him in the past was a 'J.A.G.' Just a guy," Smith began on Jeudy.

"So when I saw him, he's playing well, I wanted to say to him face-to-face, 'Hey, I know I've said some things in the past that I probably shouldn't have, and I'm sorry.

"His response was, 'n—, I don't f— with you.' And he repeated it."

This is where Smith took off with a monologue, digging into the Broncos WR.

"I'm sorry I said you were a 'J.A.G.' Just a guy who is an average wide receiver that [the Broncos] used a first-round pick on and doesn't do anything," Smith started.

"I hope today that you actually show up in a way that you haven't showed up in the last couple years they drafted you. So if you ever got a problem with Agent 89, I'm sorry for saying you're an average wide receiver that they will eventually move on.

"So when teams call me, asking should they trade for you, I will say, 'No, do not trade for Jerry Jeudy, because he is mentally unable to handle constructive criticism from people who watch, specifically, can he be a wide receiver?'

"He can be a wide receiver, but he's Tier 3."

Whew.

The drama didn't end there. Jeudy, in an attempt to troll Smith on the job, started dancing and yelling in the background of the NFL Network camera shot.

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Smith elected to take the high road, dismissing Jeudy's actions on the air. Soon after, he posted the clip to X, formerly known as Twitter, with the caption, "Growth. We got things to do and people to see. Enjoy the game tonight," with the salute emoji.

Jeudy was selected by the Broncos with the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He has yet to have a 1,000-yard season and only has nine touchdowns in 45 regular season games. 

The fourth-year wideout has been the subject of trade rumors in recent years, with the Giants and Colts two teams attached in trade talks since the start of 2022. 

Jeudy has just 17 receptions, 208 yards and zero touchdowns through four games so far in 2023.

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.