Van Jefferson is heading to Tennessee, as the former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver is signing a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million with the Titans, per Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports.
Jefferson was a willing blocker his lone season in Pittsburgh but his production in the passing game wasn’t ideal for someone who played over 700 snaps, as he had just 24 catches for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Still, he was a good leader in the Steelers’ wide receiver room and should serve as a solid mentor for a Titans team looking to turn things following a rough 2024 season.
Prior to his stint in Pittsburgh, Jefferson spent three-and-a-half seasons with the Los Angeles Rams before getting traded to the Atlanta Falcons during the 2023 season. In Atlanta, he played under Arthur Smith but managed just 12 receptions in 12 games.
Jefferson’s best season came in 2021, when he had 50 receptions for 809 yards and six touchdowns with the Rams. If he can recreate that production in Tennessee, the Titans will be getting a bargain.
For the Titans, he’ll compete for snaps with Treylon Burks and Bryce Oliver. Like when he joined Pittsburgh last season, Jefferson is joining a Titans team that doesn’t have a ton of receiving talent or depth right now, so there will be an opportunity for him to see the field and potentially make an impact.
It also marks a homecoming for Jefferson. He grew up in Brentwood, Tenn., which is about 20 minutes from Nashville, and attended high school there.
His blocking ability is likely seen as a plus, and that will help him earn playing time with the Titans, but he hasn’t shown enough as a receiver to warrant the snaps he got with the Steelers last season. There was a chance that Van Jefferson returned to the Steelers as depth, but his role no doubt would’ve been lessened with the addition of DK Metcalf. Now, he’ll head to Tennessee and potentially play a bigger role than he would’ve with the Steelers.
For his NFL career, Jefferson has totaled 137 receptions for 1,876 yards and 12 touchdowns in 78 games with 47 starts.
