Tag: Van Jefferson

What is going on with WR Mike Williams?

The Steelers’ wide receiver room has seen changes, but questions remain about WR Mike Williams’ role in the team’s offensive strategy.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Such is the life of the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers‘ wide receiver room. While the Steelers addressed potential depth issues through free agency, the draft, and the trade deadline with WRs Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, and Mike Williams respectively, there has been almost nothing from these three to show for it.

Specifically, much of the hype surrounding the Williams acquisition leaves fans scratching their heads over why his usage has been so minimal.

His Week 10 debut saw him score the game-deciding TD, but he hasn’t received a single target in either Week 11 or Week 12’s contest.

In his recent disappearing act, Calvin Austin III has stepped up in a big way, but it doesn’t excuse the Steelers’ poor usage of Wilson.

The issue likely stems from the offensive scheme, much to the frustration of fans, as OC Arthur Smith’s predictable running calls have limited the Steelers’ passing opportunities in recent weeks.

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Steelers WR Van Jefferson suffers quad injury in Week 12 TNF matchup

Steelers WR Van Jefferson’s Week 12 quad injury adds to the team’s concerns over continuous struggle with receiver production.

When it rains, it pours. While the weather is actually unfavorable for the Week 12 matchup, the “pouring” refers to Steelers WR Van Jefferson’s quad injury. Aside from George Pickens, who is currently enjoying a breakout season, Pittsburgh has struggled to get consistent production out of their receivers through 11 games in 2024.

Jefferson has totaled 14 receptions on 24 targets for 139 receiving yards and one touchdown. Losing Jefferson to injury would hurt a Steelers wide receiver room already dealing with depth issues.

Pittsburgh traded for WR Mike Williams to address their recent struggles at the position, and the former New York Jets receiver may see plenty of opportunities if Jefferson misses time.

The Steelers currently trail the Browns 7-3 with two minutes remaining in the second quarter. Pittsburgh could rely on several of their other receiving threats to work in tandem with QB Russell Wilson to overcome Cleveland in this tough AFC North rivalry matchup.

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WR’s season-ending injury halted trade to Pittsburgh, per insider

According to insider Adam Schefter, WR Christian Kirk’s season-ending injury halted a probable trade to Pittsburgh.

Steelers fans eagerly awaiting Pittsburgh to make a potential blockbuster trade almost got their wish, according to insider Adam Schefter.

Schefter reported on Saturday afternoon that league sources indicated that, prior to Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk’s collarbone injury, the Steelers had a “reasonable chance” of finally pulling off a WR trade.

Kirk has accumulated 5,176 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in his 93 career games played.

The report from Schefter makes complete sense, as fans were perplexed when WR trades were taking place left and right in the league, yet the Steelers were not among the teams making them. Losing the team’s primary trade target to injury is extremely unfortunate, and it remains to be seen if General Manager Omar Khan can pull off a WR trade before the deadline on November 5th.

Pittsburgh has until Tuesday, November 5th, at 4:00 PM EST to finalize any trades. Will Khan help build an unstoppable receiving corps before the deadline, or will the team continue to rely on WR Calvin Austin III and WR Van Jefferson opposite WR George Pickens?

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Steelers WR Van Jefferson’s young son has epic reaction to touchdown

The son of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson had an adorable reaction to his father’s touchdown versus the New York Jets.

As many fans and media predicted, Van Jefferson has not turned out to be the WR2 (or even WR3) the Pittsburgh Steelers had in mind when they signed him in free agency.

In seven games since joining the Steelers, Jefferson has been targeted 16 times for 10 receptions and 77 yards. His first touchdown of the season came in Week 7 against the New York Jets.

No one was more excited than Jefferson’s son, who joined him on the field after the win.

“Daddy, you made a touchdown,” Jefferson’s son exclaimed gleefully.

It may have been the first the young boy remembers. Jefferson’s last score was nearly two years ago, in Week 14 versus the Las Vegas Raiders, as a member of the Los Angeles Rams.

Over his four-year career, Jefferson has 1,677 yards and 11 touchdowns on 123 receptions.

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Pittsburgh ignored their Wilsons in the Week 6 victory

The Steelers have once again ignored their talented Wilsons. The team could benefit from having Russell and Roman Wilson on the field.

It was theorized a few weeks ago that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loyalty to specific players was holding Russell and Roman Wilson back from succeeding. Last week, George Pickens stated that his lack of snaps in Week 5 was a decision made by offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Smith used WR Van Jefferson more often in that game, but where does this leave room for rookie WR Roman Wilson? He finally got his chance to debut in Week 6, yet was only used on five offensive snaps, while receivers Pickens, Jefferson, Austin, and Miller combined for over 126. 

Russell Wilson’s potential being wasted is something fans of the ‘Steel City’ have become accustomed to in recent weeks. QB Justin Fields didn’t outright beat Wilson for the position and hasn’t directly won Pittsburgh a game with his passing, yet Wilson remains the QB2. Fans have mixed reactions to Fields’ performance in Week 6, even though it was statistically his worst game of the season. Hopefully, Pittsburgh will utilize their pair of Wilsons more often moving forward.  

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Prediction: Meeting the Raiders’ requirements for Davante Adams trade

Davante Adams requested a trade on Tuesday afternoon, which begs the question, what could Steelers trade for him?

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in the middle of another trade rumor for a star wide receiver. Unlike past rumors, this involves perhaps the greatest wide receiver of the past decade, current Raider Davante Adams.

It has been reported by Adam Schefter this Tuesday afternoon that the Las Vegas Raiders are seeking a second-round selection for their 31-year old wide receiver, as well as “additional compensation”.

While a second-round pick may be a bit steep for a player set to turn 32 years old in the coming months, Adams has proven that he is closer to a football deity than he is a regular player.

Pittsburgh could potentially package a wide-receiver such as Calvin Austin or Van Jefferson, along with a second-round and Day three pick to make the trade happen.

They also have the luxury of depth at the middle linebacker position, along with strong depth at the defensive line position as well. Could Steelers offer what other teams can’t, a potentially enticing trade package that includes a proven starter? Fans will have to wait and see as the story develops!

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Steelers CB Cory Trice Jr. DOUBTFUL to return with injury

The Steelers are without their primary backup cornerback against the Chargers.

It didn’t take long for the Pittsburgh Steelers to get awfully short-handed. The Steelers have lost starting wide receiver Van Jefferson to an apparent eye injury and now cornerback Cory Trice Jr. is doubtful to return with a hamstring injury according to ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor.

Steelers eyeing return of offensive rookie to shore up passing game

Roman Wilson looks close to returning from his ankle injury.

Last week we saw the healthy return of Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu and the offensive line got a nice boost from the addition. This week we hope the Steelers offense gets another offensive playmaker back just in time to take on the Los Angeles Chargers.

Wide receiver Roman Wilson has been sidelined for several weeks with an ankle injury back on July 30. The sprained ankle has lingered on longer than expected but on Wednesday, Wilson was back at practice and looked like he is very close to returning. Wilson was one of the team’s third-round picks in the 2024 NFL draft.

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Without Wilson in the lineup, the Steelers passing game has struggled. We aren’t saying Wilson is plug-and-play as a starter but at this point, the team needs able bodies who can get open and catch the football.

George Pickens leads the team with 114 receiving yards through two games. Second on the team at wide receiver is Van Jefferson with only 15 yards on three catches and third is Calvin Austin with 13 yards on two catches.

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Steelers HC Mike Tomlin has one-word reaction to George Pickens promotion

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin did not hesitate to back George Pickens when asked about his maturity level.

Entering his third year as a pro, George Pickens is taking on his most significant career challenge: A promotion to the No. 1 wide receiver role.

While young players typically welcome such a promotion, the lack of depth at the spot could be problematic for Pickens. In the past two seasons, he’s displayed unbecoming behavior when things don’t go his way.

When asked about his confidence level in Pickens handling the extra attention from defenses positively, Mike Tomlin did not hesitate. “Absolutely,” he said in his weekly press conference.

Until someone beyond Pickens emerges as a threat to opponents, he’s where pass defenses will be focused.

Pittsburgh’s depth is an issue known around the league after the team failed to bring in an established pass-catching veteran this offseason after trading their top-producing receiver, Diontae Johnson.

Van Jefferson, whom the team signed as a free agent days after sending Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, must step up in a big way — and quickly. He spent the 2023 season on two teams and contributed just 578 yards and three touchdowns over the past two years.

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‘Hungry’ Steelers WR Van Jefferson adopts Antonio Brown routine

Wide receiver Van Jefferson has taken up a routine of Pittsburgh Steelers great Antonio Brown.

Van Jefferson doesn’t want to disappoint himself, his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates or coaches as he did during a 2023 season that wasn’t up to par with expectations.

After five games that produced just 108 yards as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, Jefferson was traded to the Atlanta Falcons, where he managed less production (101 yards) in nearly three times the games.

For Jefferson, this season is all about returning to form — perhaps more along the lines of his 2021 season when he put up a career-high 802 yards and six touchdowns, helping his team get to and win the Super Bowl.

Jefferson hopes to achieve that in Pittsburgh. Throughout training camp, the former second-round pick was peppered with questions about Brandon Aiyuk and faced media and fan scrutiny over whether he was the right man for the No. 2 wide receiver job.

One routine Jefferson has adopted to help him return to form is something he learned indirectly from former Steelers great Antonio Brown — becoming one with the Jugs machine. Brown used to catch 300 balls a day, so Jefferson has made it part of his post-practice routine in an effort to improve his pass-catching skills.

“I’m definitely hungry,” Jefferson told Mike DeFabo of “The Athletic.” “Definitely chomping at the bit to get this going.”

Jefferson has experienced the highs of winning a Super Bowl during a career year and the lows of injuries that prevented more. Now all Jefferson has to do is prove doubters wrong.

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