DENVER — As the Denver Broncos prepare to face the Cleveland Browns on Monday night, attention turns to the developing chemistry between Cleveland teammates Jameis Winston and Jerry Jeudy. Head coach Sean Payton, who is intimately familiar with both players, is tasked with countering their connection.
Payton, who coached Winston for three years in New Orleans and Jeudy for one season in Denver before Jeudy’s trade request last March, understands their potential. “Jameis’s personality is infectious. He’ll tell somebody, ‘Hey, go get open and I’m going to find you.’ That’s exactly what a receiver seeks,” Payton remarked. He noted that even in the limited time Winston has played this season, they have formed a strong bond.
Regarding Jeudy’s capabilities, Payton emphasized his exceptional skills, stating, “From a talent standpoint, he has great hips, great transition, and he possesses a high football IQ.” Recently, Winston and Jeudy have connected 24 times for 379 yards and a touchdown over a stretch of four weeks, including notable victories against playoff contenders Baltimore and Pittsburgh. This performance has given the Browns (3-8) renewed hope for their season.
To keep that hope alive, a victory in Denver is essential. The Broncos themselves are showcasing a promising partnership between rookie quarterback Bo Nix and veteran receiving star Courtland Sutton, who has recorded 36 receptions for 467 yards and three touchdowns in the past five games.
Winston stepped into the starting quarterback role after Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in mid-October. In his first start after a two-year hiatus, he threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns against the Ravens, impressing fans and raising questions about the long-term commitment to Watson. However, Payton remained unfazed by the chatter.
Winston had previously led the Saints to a strong 5-2 record at the beginning of the 2021 season before an ACL injury halted his progress. Reflecting on his time coaching Winston, Payton shared his admiration: “I enjoyed coaching him. He’s big and has a tremendous presence in the locker room. His infectious personality lights up the place every day, and he naturally brings leadership.” This dynamic changed considerably when Payton found himself on the opposite side during division rivalries. “There were years he was in Tampa, and I couldn’t stand him because he was the quarterback for one of our opponents. But we always had some fierce matchups,” Payton recalled with a chuckle.
Payton also expressed a desire to reconnect with Jeudy. Although Jeudy found frustrations regarding his opportunities in Denver, Payton greatly valued their time together and opted against trading him until finally sending Jeudy to the Browns in exchange for future draft picks.
After working with experienced quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Russell Wilson, Payton chose to go with Nix, selecting him as the sixth quarterback in the draft at No. 12. The rookie has proven to be an exceptional addition over the recent months, capturing accolades such as the NFL’s Rookie of the Month for October and three consecutive NFL Rookie of the Week honors. He has displayed impressive performance metrics, throwing for at least 200 yards and two touchdown passes without an interception for three straight games, tying him with notable peers like C.J. Stroud and Dak Prescott for the longest streak of its kind since the merger in 1970.
Despite the accolades, Nix remains focused on the task ahead. “Not really. I can only concentrate on the next game, the upcoming opponent, and how I can contribute to a win,” he stated. “My focus is completely on executing our game plan against Cleveland.” Nix was listed on the injury report due to a strained back muscle but downplayed its impact, affirming, “Good to go. Ready to roll.”
