UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson has had an impressive start at training camp. He’s certainly making a case for the Steelers’ No. 2 wide receiver position.
On Thursday, he caught a 50-yard deep ball from quarterback Justin Fields down the left sideline. On the next day, he beat Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. for a touchdown, who was in man-to-man coverage.
Jefferson has also been catching 300 balls off the JUGS machine after practice every day. He adopted the workout regimen from former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.
“One of the equipment guys said, ‘You know, AB used to catch like 300 every day after practice.’ I just took that from them,” Jefferson said. “I think he’s one of the best to ever play in the NFL, so shoot, why not follow what he did?”
Despite his off the field antics, Brown’s work ethic was impeccable. That can’t be denied. It’s definitely encouraging that Jefferson is displaying a similar dedication.
Jefferson played for the Los Angeles Rams when they won Super Bowl LVI. This also happened to be the best statistical season of Jefferson’s career. In 2021, Jefferson caught a career-high 50 passes for 802 yards and six touchdowns.
Jefferson was traded to the Atlanta Falcons after five games last season and now with a full offseason with Smith, Jefferson is ready to go in 2024.
“I got traded in the middle of the season so I wasn’t that perfect with the offense,” Jefferson told reporters at the team’s OTAs. “Now I [had] a full offseason to learn his offense so it has been helpful.”
Jefferson has been impressed with the young wide receivers room. He thinks it’s a group that’s champing at the bit to prove themselves.
“Hungry,” he said. “All of us are just hungry to get out on the field and show what we can do.”
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Unity Twp.