Steelers Sign Jefferson in Falcons’ Smith Reunion

The Atlanta Falcons were unable to re-sign Van Jefferson, even after appointing

former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and passing

game coordinator Zac Robinson as head coach and offensive play-caller,

respectively. The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov was the first to announce that the former

Rams receiver, who was moved to Atlanta prior to the current season, has

signed to a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The 27-year-old offensive coordinator will work with recently signed quarterback Russell Wilson in the

Steelers offense, which is led by former Falcons coach Arthur Smith. Despite the

fact that neither party was satisfied with the way the trade for Smith last season

went, Jefferson and Smith are reuniting. Despite appearing in 12 games as

Falcon, the former second-round choice out of Florida never found success in

Atlanta, amassing just 101 yards on 12 receptions.

Nevertheless, despite having two poor seasons in a row, with 578 yards and three touchdowns in 28 games, Jefferson’s 2021 campaign might offer a guide for making the most of him.

That season, Jefferson, who was in his second year at the time, had a career-best year while serving as the Rams’ number-two receiver. Jefferson contributed to the Rams winning their second-ever Super Bowl by finishing second on the team in receiving with 802 yards and six touchdowns on 50 receptions while playing in all 17 games. With Diontae Johnson traded by the Steelers to the Carolina Panthers, Jefferson will have an opportunity to be Wilson’s backup wide receiver, behind only George Pickens.