The Pittsburgh Steelers lost another player from their 2024 roster in free agency, but this time, fans can breathe a sigh of relief. On Wednesday, NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported the Tennessee Titans are finalizing a one-year, $2.5 million deal with veteran wide receiver Van Jefferson.
Jefferson, a second-round pick out of Florida by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, spent his first three NFL seasons in LA. In 2023, he played just five games with the Rams before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a late-round pick swap in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jefferson managed just 12 receptions for 101 receiving yards in 12 games in Atlanta before hitting the free-agent market. He re-joined offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2024 season.
The wide receiver's tenure in Pittsburgh was brief and disappointing. Despite being credited with 12 starts and playing all 17 regular-season games, Jefferson caught just 24 of 40 passes for 276 yards and a pair of touchdowns. When broken down, this equated to just 1.4 receptions and 16.2 yards per game.
Now Jefferson lands on his feet on a one-year deal with the Titans after a disappointing stint with the Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers won't have trouble replacing Van Jefferson on offense
Pittsburgh Steelers fans got their fill of Van Jefferson during the 2024 season... and that was about all we could handle. The journeyman receiver had trouble creating separation at the top of his routes—making it hard for quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson to look in his direction.
With third-round rookie Roman Wilson injured and Jefferson struggling, the Steelers made a desperation trade with the Jets for Mike Williams just before the NFL trade deadline. Williams, however, proved to be as underwhelming as Jefferson and offered almost nothing to the offense.
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It was easy to see Jefferson's departure coming and there was never a chance the Steelers were going to sign him back to their roster for the 2025 season. Before Jefferson signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency, Pittsburgh's front office made an aggressive trade for two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf.
As of now, Metcalf and George Pickens are the projected starting receivers for the Steelers with Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin III battling it out for slot duty roles. Expect Pittsburgh to round out their wide receiver room with a low-budget free agent and a 2025 draft pick.