Jerry Jeudy isn’t buying it.
The Browns’ star receiver said Thursday he does not believe The Athletic report that Jets owner Woody Johnson did not want to acquire him due to his low “Madden NFL” rating.
“To be honest, I don’t believe it. I think that’s fake news, for real,” Jeudy said. “Why would somebody look at Madden rating. Be real. I don’t think that real, but it’s funny.”
Jeudy surely did not expect to be discussing a video game rating Thursday but that’s exactly what happened after the shocking report of his rating allegedly tanking a Broncos-Jets trade.
Blocking that potential trade highlighted how Johnson has been easily influenced as Jets owner, including allegedly by his teenage sons, Brick and Jack.
It was reportedly was not the only time a Madden rating was cited, with free-agent signing John Simpson’s “awareness” rating referenced as a negative.
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The Jets strongly disputed the allegations of Brick and Jack influencing decisions.
Adding Jeudy could have potentially helped the Jets this year, with the team instead trading for Aaron Rodgers’ buddy Davante Adams during the season.
Jeudy instead went from the Broncos to the Browns for two late-round picks (fifth, sixth) in the 2024 Draft and he has shined despite middling quarterback play from Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston.
He enters a Week 16 game against the Bengals with 70 catches for 1,052 yards and four scores.
Earlier Thursday, Jeudy and Chad “OchoCinco” Johnson had some fun with the report since Johnson is involved with players ratings for the popular video game.
“I blame 😂 @ochocinco,” Jeudy tweeted Thursday afternoon.
Roughly an hour earlier, Johnson quote tweeted a post with a summary of the article, writing: “So me being the Madden Rating Adjuster actually holds substantial weight amongst the owners. 🫡.”
When Jeudy blamed him, Johnson responded: “It’s a good thing, look how you shining now.🫡.”
Jeudy then asked Johnson if he would improve his rating, to which the former Bengals star responded: “95 rating next year, just finish these next 3 games off strong twin.”
The Browns star concluded the back-and-forth exchanged by writing: “Say less lol ✊🏾.”
Jeudy ranks fifth in receiving yards and has a realistic shot to finish in the top three, with Ja’Marr Chase (1,413 receiving yards) and Justin Jefferson (1,243) likely occupying the top-two spots.
