The Cleveland Browns fell to 1-4 on Sunday after a last-minute loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and one of the team’s biggest concerns continues to be the lack of impact from wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.
Jeudy is coming off his first Pro Bowl season but has not been able to get on track. Through five games, Jeudy has just 15 catches for 197 yards. He has not found the end zone since Dec. 8, 2024.
Jeudy was a non-factor in the loss to the Vikings, despite the Browns making a shift to Dillon Gabriel from Joe Flacco. He had just two catches for 15 yards. Despite his slow start, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is adamant that Jeudy will turn things around and continue to be a key part of the offense.
“Jerry continues to be our best wide receiver. We have to find ways to get him involved in the game,” Stefanski said. “Having said that, he’s a leader on this team, he will do anything in his power to help this football team, and I’m excited about the future for Jerry and this offense. But obviously I know he wants to do more, and we want him to do more.”
The offensive production as a whole has been rough for the Browns. But the lack of production from the team’s receivers has been especially troubling. Gabriel completed 19 passes against the Vikings and just five were to wide receivers. One of those was a last-ditch effort pass to Jamari Thrash.
Browns See Room for Improvement for Dillon Gabriel
Gabriel was a serviceable quarterback against the Vikings, although the offense continued to lack explosive plays in the passing game and failed to score more than 17 points for a 10th straight game, dating back to last season.
But Gabriel did not turn over the ball, which was a problem with Flacco. The 40-year-old veteran turned the ball over eight times in four starts. The Browns were happy with the rookie after his debut, but see room for improvement.
“A lot of positives. Obviously can always better, and certainly we as an offense have to better and score more to help this football team,” Stefanski said. “But for, you know, a young player in that environment versus that defense to take care of the ball, make the plays he made, I thought was a lot of positives with plenty to clean up. And that’s what he will do. And that’s the mentality he has, certainly to be a player that continues to get better week in and week out.”
Browns QB Dillon Gabriel ‘Biggest Fan’ of Jerry Jeudy
Gabriel is still building chemistry with the starting offense, which includes Jeudy. Prior to his debut, Gabriel gushed over having Jeudy as his top pass-catcher.
“I’m the biggest fan of Jerry. I would be surprised to find anyone that thinks more highly of him than me, just the way he works, the way he attacks his day to day, but how much he loves the game as well. He shows his passion, and he’s a guy that we’re going to rely on, I’ll continue to rely on and a guy we’ll feed because he’s a big part of what we do,” Gabriel said. “So I think as we continue to build it, it’ll be building reps together and continuity, but I think that that’ll grow as time progresses.”
Jeudy was equally complimentary of Gabriel after he was named the starter.
“Dillon, he’s a smart dude,” Jeudy said. “He knows where to go with the ball, what the coaching staff wants within the offense. He does a great job of that.”
Jeudy, Gabriel and the Browns head to Pittsburgh this week to face the Steelers.
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