DENVER — Jerry Jeudy’s return to Denver ignited a passionate reaction from the crowd, which he embraced. “They only boo you when they know there’s something great in you,” Jeudy stated, reflecting on the mixed feelings of the fans. The Cleveland Browns wide receiver put on a thrilling show on Monday night, hauling in nine receptions for 235 yards, setting a new NFL record for the most yards by a player against a former team. He also electrified the stadium with a stunning 70-yard touchdown in a 41-32 defeat to the Broncos.

Having spent his first four seasons in Denver, Jeudy was met with jeers every time he touched the ball. However, he found joy in the crowd’s reactions, even encouraging them to be louder at times. His one disappointment was that the Browns (3-9) were unable to secure the victory. Quarterback Jameis Winston had an impressive performance with four touchdown passes and a franchise-record 497 yards, yet he also threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. “Came up short,” Jeudy remarked. “Got to find a way to finish, find a way to win.” Jeudy has developed a strong connection with Winston, making 28 receptions in their last four games together.

Winston and Jeudy hit the ground running against the Broncos with a 44-yard gain on their first play. Jeudy showcased his remarkable talent when he caught a deep ball and sprinted 70 yards for a touchdown, theatrically falling backward into the end zone. The former first-round draft pick was traded to Cleveland in the spring after experiencing a rollercoaster career in Denver.

“Jerry is phenomenal. He came prepared and was eager to show up and perform,” Winston noted, despite his struggles, which included three interceptions. “It’s unfortunate we couldn’t pull off the win for him, but I’m thrilled he had a career day. He’s an incredible receiver.” For Winston, the game was a mixture of successes and mistakes, as Ja’Quan McMillian clinched the game with a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Nik Bonitto also scored on a 71-yard interception return just before halftime. Notably, Winston became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 400 yards while also achieving four or more touchdown passes along with two pick sixes. “It was my fault,” Winston admitted. “I’ve got to play better.”

The Browns’ strategy centered on getting Jeudy the ball, and they did just that, targeting him 13 times, letting him average an impressive 26.1 yards per catch. “Jerry executed the plan really well,” remarked Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski. “We got him open, and Jameis made some good throws. It’s tough to feel positive in a losing effort.” Jeudy, regardless of who was defending him, including star cornerback Pat Surtain II, managed to find ways to get open consistently. “It’s always a challenge going against Pat,” Jeudy said, recalling their shared history at Alabama. “He’s a top corner in this league, and I’ve been facing him my whole life.”

In closing, Jeudy expressed that there is no lingering animosity towards the Broncos (8-5). “At the end of the day, it’s football. It’s competitive,” he stated. “Everyone is eager to play and achieve greatness. That’s all there is. No beef.”