NFL Network analyst Steve Smith Sr. put Denver wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in the spotlight before the Broncos’ AFC West game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night.

Jeudy and the Denver offense didn’t stay in the spotlight long, though, as they disappeared into a 19-8 loss – the Broncos’16th in a row to the Chiefs.

On his podcast “Cut To It,” Smith had referred to Jeudy as a JAG – just a guy. On Thursday night on the NFL Network’s pregame coverage, Smith said he wanted to tell Jeudy during warmups that he shouldn’t have said that with the way the wide receiver had been playing lately.

Smith said Jeudy didn’t want to hear it, so Smith said to the NFL Network audience: “I’m sorry I said you were a JAG – just a guy who’s an average wide receiver they used a first-round pick on. I hope today you show up in a way you haven’t showed up in the last couple of years since they drafted you. So if you ever got a problem with Agent 89, I’m sorry for saying that you’re an average wide receiver that they will eventually move on. And when teams call me and ask 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 who watch specifically can he be a wide receiver. He can be a wide receiver. He’s a Tier 3.”

Smith added from the sideline at Arrowhead Stadium, “Go back into the studio. I’m done now. Thank you,” then dropped his microphone.

A 16-year NFL veteran, Smith was a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time first-team All-Pro wide receiver. He finished his career with 1,031 receptions for 14,731 yards and 81 touchdowns.

Jeudy joined the Broncos from Alabama as the 15th selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. In his 46th NFL game on Thursday night, Jeudy had three receptions for 14 yards, raising his career totals to 177 receptions for 2,517 yards and nine touchdowns. Among the players in his draft class, Jeudy ranks seventh in receptions, sixth in receiving yards and 12th in touchdown receptions.

In the locker room after the game, Jeudy was asked about his interaction with Smith before the contest.

“I don’t remember that,” Jeudy said. “But like I said, it was a close game. We just got to finish at the end of the game.”

Asked about “a little bit of drama before the game” with Smith, Jeudy said: “That was a tough loss, man. I feel like at the end of the game, we could’ve got there, but, you know, they had a good drive at the end.”

Jeudy was the subject of offseason trade speculation. But Denver picked up its fifth-year option on his contract, guaranteeing the former Crimson Tide All-America $12.987 million for the 2024 season. With the Broncos off to a 1-5 start under new coach Sean Payton, the rumors that the Broncos are entertaining offers for Jeudy have returned.

Jeudy was among the 13 players from Alabama high schools and colleges involved in the Denver-Kansas City game:

· Chiefs defensive tackle Neil Farrell Jr. (Murphy) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Kareem Jackson (Alabama) started at safety for the Broncos. Jackson made five tackles. He also lost an interception to a teammate’s defensive pass interference penalty.

· Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun (Samford) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Chiefs running back La’Mical Perine (Theodore) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Chiefs tight end Gerrit Prince (UAB) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross (Central-Phenix City) did record any stats.

· Drew Sanders (Alabama) started at inside linebacker for the Broncos. Sanders made one tackle.

· Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith (Saks) made one tackle on special teams.

· Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (Auburn) dressed for the game but did not play.

· Patrick Surtain II (Alabama) started at left cornerback for the Broncos. Surtain made seven tackles.

· Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (Blount) had three receptions for 9 yards and one touchdown and two rushing attempts that netted minus-5 yards. A former high school quarterback, Toney also threw an incomplete pass. Toney scored his first touchdown of the 2023 season on a 3-yard reception from quarterback Patrick Mahomes as Kansas City took a 10-0 lead with 3:06 left in the first half.

· Chiefs offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho (Edgewood Academy, Auburn) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

· Chiefs wide receiver Montrell Washington (Samford) returned three punts for 10 yards.

At 3:25 p.m. CDT Oct. 22, Kansas City (5-1) hosts the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver hosts the Green Bay Packers.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.