Panthers icon Steven Smith finally apologizes for putting Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy on blast on live television

Jerry Jeudy was drafted 15th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Panthers icon Steven Smith finally apologizes for putting Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy on blast on live television

Steve Smith (L - via X) and Jerry Jeudy (R - via Fox News)

The Carolina Panthers‘ iconic WR Steve Smith feels very strongly about the wide receivers in the NFL. He loves to break their games down on his podcast, Cut To It. He also doesn’t mince his words when talking about something he doesn’t like. One player who was on the receiving end of the Steve Smith criticism was Denver Broncos‘ WR Jerry Jeudy.

Over the last few months, both these wide receivers have exchanged words with each other, personally as well as through the media. It all started when Smith referred to Jeudy as a JAG, or “just a guy” on his podcast. Jeudy took exception to it and the two butted heads when the former Panthers WR went to Denver for an NFL Network broadcast. Smith has now come out and apologized to Jeudy as he wants to bury the hatchet once and for all.

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Smith said on the latest edition of The Pat McAfee Show:

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That's more important than walking back my words because, if you can talk about a man, you've got to be able to look that man in the eye and give him the opportunity. I want to apologize. ... I apologize for how I said what I said, and it didn't sit well. That wasn't my intent, but what's done is done, and I'm sorry. It makes me more aware that I've got to use different words and not make it come across like I'm envious or jealous of the current players because I'm not. I actually appreciate and love the current players.
Steven Smith on The Pat McAfee Show

Jeudy hasn’t lived up to his draft hype so far. He was drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. His best season came last year in which he tallied more than 900 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns. So far this season, Jeudy has amassed only 286 yards on 25 receptions and has zero touchdowns.

Jerry Jeudy claims that his lack of production isn’t entirely his fault

Jerry Jeudy hasn’t had a great start to the season. The WR has been a shadow of his 2022 self when he had nearly 1,000 receiving yards and multiple touchdowns. So far this season, Jeudy has failed to score a touchdown through seven weeks and the Denver Broncos are struggling to win games. The wideout believes that his lack of production isn’t his fault.

Jerry Jeudy
Jerry Jeudy (via ESPN)

Jeudy said on Tuesday, via the Denver Post:

I mean, as a receiver, there's a lot of people you've got to depend on. You can be open, but if the line don't do their thing or the quarterback don't do his thing or the (offensive coordinator) don't put you (in a good spot), it's a whole lot of stuff that you've got to go through as a receiver to be successful. I can't really (worry). At the end of the day, I've got to do what I do. People can say, 'Oh, look at the stats, look at this, look at that.' But the eye in the sky don't lie.

The Broncos are in a tough spot at the moment. They have lost five of their first six games and are pretty much out of playoff contention for the second year in a row. For them to make any kind of push towards a postseason berth, Jeudy will have to start playing better than he is right now. They will play their week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

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