The Pittsburgh Steelers continued their busy Friday by bringing in another offensive weapon for new starting quarterback Russell Wilson.
According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers have signed former Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Van Jefferson to a one-year contract. The move comes hours after Pittsburgh stunned the NFL by trading quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Steelers are signing WR Van Jefferson, a former No. 2 draft choice of the Rams in 2020, to a one-year deal, per sources. Move is for depth purposes.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 15, 2024
The Steelers needed more depth at wide receiver after trading star Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. Veteran Allen Robinson was also released in a cap-saving move that cleared $10 million in cap space.
Jefferson’s best season came in 2021, when he hauled in 50 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns. Jefferson’s efforts helped the Rams to a Super Bowl 51 appearance, where they went on to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals.
Van Jefferson your newest Steeler #steelers
pic.twitter.com/7Vys4aGbPv
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) March 15, 2024
Jefferson was traded to the Falcons ahead of the 2023 trade deadline, but the move did little to help his production. In 17 games split with Atlanta and Los Angeles, Jefferson finished with 20 receptions for 209 yards and zero touchdowns.
For his career, the former Mississippi and Florida wideout had 113 receptions for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns. In six postseason games, Jefferson has 15 receptions for 148 yards and one touchdown.
Wilson faced Jefferson several times during the former’s run with the Seattle Seahawks. Now the two will team up in Steel City as they both look to revive their careers.
