Few NFL experts possess a greater track record than Steve Smith Sr. when it comes to offering advice on how to improve as a wide receiver. The 44-year-old played 16 NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers (2001–2013) and the Baltimore Ravens (2014–2016), finishing with the eighth-most receiving yards in NFL history (14,731). With 103 receptions, 1,563 receiving yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns in 2005, he became just one of only four players since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to lead the NFL in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in a single season. Since 1970, Cooper Kupp (2021), Sterling Sharpe (1992), and Jerry Rice (1990) have also received triple crowns.
Smith has a podcast, just like a lot of today’s experts. During a recent episode of his podcast, “Cut To It,” he referred to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy of the Denver Broncos as a JAG, or man. In an attempt to retract that statement, Smith went on NFL Network’s “Thursday Night Football” pregame broadcast before Jeudy and the Broncos took on the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. “I apologize for claiming that you were a JAG; all I was saying was that you’re just a mediocre wide receiver that the Denver Broncos wasted a first-round pick on.” I’m hoping that today you truly turn up the way you haven’t the past few years since they drafted you.
I apologize for telling you that you are an ordinary wide receiver that they would eventually move on from if you ever had a problem with Agent 89. I will tell clubs, “No, don’t trade for Jerry Jeudy because he is mentally unable to handle constructive criticism,” especially if they are interested in acquiring you as a wide receiver. He is a third tier.