The Pittsburgh Steelers planned for WR Van Jefferson to be a contributor to this offense, though perhaps not with a clear picture as to the extent. A former second-round pick with good measurables, he looks good on paper, but he still signed for the veteran minimum during the offseason.
Through most of the first half of the season, it didn’t look like Jefferson would offer much as a receiver. He had all of 11 catches for 124 yards, going entire games without a target. Over the past two weeks, however, he has five catches for 77 yards and his first touchdown with the Steelers. That included a nice adjustment on a deep ball that made his quarterback look good.
The most obvious variable at play is the introduction of QB Russell Wilson into the starting lineup, displacing Justin Fields. Perhaps Van Jefferson has a better rapport with Wilson than Fields. Or perhaps Wilson is just more willing and able to spread the ball around. WR coach Zach Azzanni doesn’t necessarily subscribe to those theories, at least not when it comes to his receiver’s improved production.
“I don’t think it has anything to do with who his quarterback is. Van [Jefferson] just is very intentful in how he works”, Azzanni said, via the Steelers’ media relations department. “He’s a pro. He’s very aware of the things he does well, the things he needs to work on. And because of that mindset and attitude, you see him improving, learning the offense”.
“Every week we’re a little bit better because the offense is a little easier for us because it’s another week into it”, said Azzanni, who like OC Arthur Smith is in his first season with the Steelers, as is Jefferson. “And that’s a big deal. That’s why you’re seeing his game improve because of how he works. I think Mickey Mouse could be the quarterback and you’ll see him improve because of how he practices”.
Russell Wilson might be a bit of a cartoon character, but Mickey Mouse he is not. Still, I find it hard to accept Azzanni’s answer about Wilson having little to do with Van Jefferson being a bigger and more effective part of the Steelers’ passing offense.
Russell Wilson does throw more frequently, and more frequently to a more diverse number of eligibles. You get the one guy or two who puts up big numbers, but historically, you see a lot of contributors like Van Jefferson at the end of his passes.
Here’s the thing, though: Zach Azzanni said exactly what he should have said. It’s not a good look all around if you say your receiver is playing better because of a different quarterback. It doesn’t look good for your receiver, it doesn’t look good for you, it doesn’t look good for the other quarterback, and it doesn’t look good for the team in general. But more importantly, Azzanni loves his guys.
Later in the same interview, Azzanni did acknowledge the benefits of Wilson’s veteran presence. He is undeniably a been-there, done-that guy, and Justin Fields simply hasn’t done it. If part of that is finding third and fourth and fifth options like Van Jefferson, then that’s what it is.
