The Cleveland Browns need several players to take a step forward in 2026 to get the offense back on track and WR Jerry Jeudy firmly fits in there. 

Jeudy had a career year in 2024 with 1,229 receiving yards in 17 games and those numbers dropped to 602 receiving yards last season as the Browns’ top wide receiver. An NFL player doesn’t need any extra offseason motivation, but Jeudy has received it, at least when going against one AFC North team.

Steelers’ Joey Porter Jr.  says he gets the best of Browns’ Jerry Jeudy 

Jeudy was fined for striking Pittsburgh Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. last season in the two teams’ first matchup. Jeudy had multiple drops in the loss to the Steelers and what Porter said could have legs to it.   

“Me and Jerry Jeudy be going back at it,” Porter said on The Blueprint. “That sh** be funny, because I like talking, because you really gonna be trying your hardest to get off. And then once that don’t work, now it’s like, what else can you say? Like, I really got you off your game. And I be having him out of his game.”

Jeudy had a combined 97 receiving yards in two games against the Steelers last season. His yardage total of 602 was the second lowest he’s had in his six-year career only ahead of 2021 when he had 467 receiving yards in just 10 games. The Browns are likely to add at the wide receiver position in the draft, but turning the production back up is key. 

Part of the issue last season with Jeudy was quarterback play leading to frustration and disconnect, which led to drops. Entering his seventh season in the NFL, Jeudy needs a bounce-back year for the future of his career with the Browns. 

Jeudy will get a couple of matchups this in 2026 with Porter and he now has all the motivation needed to try to get the best of him.