The Cleveland Browns‘ offense is struggling, and Pro Bowl wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has not been a factor.
Jeudy finished Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots without a catch. It was the first time as a member of the Browns that Jeudy did not register a catch. He was targeted just twice, even with Cleveland trailing for the majority of the matchup.
After the game, Jeudy left without talking to reporters, a sign he’s upset with his role. Coming off a Pro Bowl season, Jeudy has notched just 22 receptions for 257 yards and he’s yet to find the end zone. It’s a stark contrast to last season, when he snagged a career-high 90 catches for 1,229 yards and four scores.
The Browns have said week after week that they need to focus more on getting Jeudy the ball. But Week 8 was an all-time low for Jeudy in Cleveland.
“I’m frustrated with that loss, I’m frustrated that we don’t get the ball to Jerry, our best wide receiver, earlier in that game and throughout that game,” Browns coach and offensive play-caller Kevin Stefanski said. “Now, are there always reasons for those types of things? Sure, but it’s not lost on me that Jerry’s our best player at that position, and we have to get him the ball. Just making sure we have our guys in the right positions, whether it’s where they’re playing on the formation, the routes we’re asking, the run, et cetera, et cetera.”
Jeudy’s lack of production in Cleveland has sparked trade rumors. Kalshi Sports has him as the receiver with the third-highest chance (18%) to be dealt by the trade deadline.
Browns WR Jerry Jeudy Expressed Confidence in Dillon Gabriel
The lack of production for Jeudy and the rest of the receivers stems from the quarterback situation. Dillon Gabriel completed 21 passes against the Patriots but just two of those went to wide receivers. The rest were on mostly dink-and-dunk passes to tight ends and running backs.
The Browns have been clear that the offense as a whole needs to improve and are not putting the blame just on Gabriel.
“Playing good on offense is about 11 guys on the field, and us as coaches doing our job,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, young players will learn in each outing that they’re out there – I think Dillon will continue to learn, will continue to get better, but it’s really an entire offensive type of thing where we all need to better.”
It’s safe to say that Gabriel’s chemistry with Jeudy is a work in progress. But Jeudy expressed optimism in Gabriel’s progression prior to Week 8.
“Every game he’s just gaining confidence, understanding the speed of the game, knowing where to go with the ball and recognizing coverages,” Jeudy said. “I feel like he’s just getting better each week, and that’s what we need from him.”
Browns Expected to Get Cedric Tillman Back
The Browns are expected to get a boost after the bye week with the return of Cedric Tillman. He entered the year slated to be the No. 2 receiver for the Browns but has been on injured reserve since Week 4 with a hamstring injury.
Stefanski responded with a simple “I do” when asked if Tillman would return to face the New York Jets in Week 10 following the break.
Tillman, a former third-round pick, has shown promise and the Browns have a significant lack of depth in their wide receiver corps. He caught 29 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns over 11 games last season. Tillman’s two touchdown receptions earlier this season are still tied for the team lead.
Undrafted rookie Isaiah Bond is currently second in receptions among receivers behind Jeudy, recording 11 grabs for 123 yards.
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