Steve Smith completely sounded off on Jerry Jeudy after a heated exchange on the sidelines

NFL players are used to pregame trash talk. It’s almost expected at this point. But what about former players doing pregame coverage for NFL Network getting into it with players?

That would have to be a first.

Former NFL receiver and five-time Pro Bowler Steve Smith Sr. was working sideline coverage ahead of Thursday’s game between the Chiefs and Broncos when Smith and Denver receiver Jerry Jeudy had an apparent exchange off camera.

When it came time for Smith to go on the air, he explained what went down from his perspective and proceeded to go off on the Broncos receiver. It was absolutely wild to hear.

Smith admitted that he had criticized Jeudy in the past but wanted to offer Jeudy some encouragement before this game. Jeudy, though, wasn’t in the mood to hear any of it and dismissed Smith right there on the spot.

Smith went on to say:

“I hope today that you actually show up in a way that you haven’t showed up in the last couple years since they drafted you. So if you ever have a problem with Agent 89, I’m sorry for saying that you’re an average wide receiver that will eventually move on. And when teams call me asking if they should trade for you, I will say,  ‘No. Don’t trade for Jerry Jeudy because he’s mentally unable to handle constructive criticism from people.’ … Can he be a wide receiver? He can be a wide receiver. He’s a tier 3. Go back into the studio. I’m done now. Thank you.”

And he dropped the mic.

Predictably, NFL fans were stunned with those remarks on air. Just whoa.