Report: Falcons receiver Van Jefferson to sign with Steelers
A former Super Bowl champion is on the move during NFL free agency, with Atlanta Falcons receiver Van Jefferson set to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Jefferson was a big part of the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl LVI win after being drafted by the Rams in the second round in the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent four years in Los Angeles before moving over to Atlanta for the 2023 season.
The former Florida Gators standout hasn’t been as productive in the league in recent years after landing on the injured reserve midway through the 2022 season. He played just five games that year.
The high-water mark for Jefferson came during his second season in 2021, when he recorded 50 catches for 802 yards and six touchdowns.
He has not had a touchdown catch in either of the last two seasons, though.
In five years in the league so far, Van Jefferson has logged 113 catches for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s also gotten the occasional rush, tallying four carries for 23 yards in his career.
Steelers trade Kenny Pickett to Eagles
The Pittsburgh Steelers are sending quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for draft picks, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. The move brings the Pickett era in Pittsburgh to a close much earlier than expected but now the former first-round pick can look ahead to what’s next. He’ll join the Eagles quarterback room led by Jalen Hurts for the 2024 season.
The terms of the trade dictate that the Steelers get pick No. 98 and two 2025 7th-round picks. Meanwhile, the Eagles get Pickett and pick No. 120 overall.
Though it seemed like the Steelers wanted to continue working with Pickett, Schefter shared that the young quarterback opted to move on after Pittsburgh signed Russell Wilson.
Pickett started 24 games over the course of his two-year career in Pittsburgh, going 14-10. In total, he recorded 4,474 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a 62.6% completion percentage.
Hailing from Pitt, Pickett went No. 20 overall to the Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was the only quarterback taken in the first round. Desmond Ridder, selected in the third round by the Falcons, was also traded this week. He’s off to join the Arizona Cardinals.
On3’s Nikki Chavanelle also contributed to this report.