Van Jefferson disclosed on Tuesday that, although he had respect for his new head coach from a distance, he may have been the only person in Pittsburgh, upon joining the Steelers, who was unaware of an often shared anecdote about admiration for Mike Tomlin.
From the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Tuesday, Jefferson said, “I didn’t know that he didn’t have a losing season until I came here.”
Jefferson is therefore probably only now starting to become more conscious of Tomlin’s catchphrases as he absorbs Tomlin information.
Therefore, no, Jefferson did not wear neck jewelry in reference to Tomlin’s adage “two dogs, one bone” during Tuesday’s scheduled team workouts.
“No, this is a gift from the Super Bowl,” Jefferson clarified. “I went out and acquired this for myself since we (the Los Angeles Rams) won the Super Bowl two and a half years ago. It has no significance. I simply find it appealing.
The fact that Jefferson’s gold necklace is made up of multiple dog bones connected may have something to do with concerns about the depth chart of wide receivers for the Steelers. Sorry to Tomlin, but as far as the WR2 is concerned, it could be summed up as “many dogs, one bone.”
In that campaign, Jefferson might just be the front-runner.
To have that mindset, Jefferson stated, is the ultimate aim when he hopes to be named a “starter” at outside receiver for the 2024 Steelers, opposite George Pickens. “Ultimately, my goal is to become the greatest player I can be, gain the confidence of the coaches and quarterbacks, and maximize every opportunity I get.”
Arguably the most successful receiver on the team right now, Jefferson has played in 61 NFL games, starting 35 of them, hauling in 113 receptions for 1,600 yards and 10 scores.
In his second season, he started all 21 Rams games (including playoff games) as a 25-year-old, totaling 59 receptions for 904 yards and six touchdowns. That season, he also won the Super Bowl ring.
Jefferson became the third receiver with comparable credentials to sign a one-year free-agent contract with the Steelers this spring for the veteran minimum wage, joining Quez Watkins and Scotty Miller. These three players make up the Steelers’ wide receiver options after Pickens, along with rookie Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin III.
When it comes to the No. 2 receiving position in the clubhouse, Jefferson is the undisputed leader.
It’s clear that I have a great deal of self-confidence. Jefferson remarked, “I obviously think I can do those things.” However, in the end, I have to work hard to have the chance to earn that. I am not going to be handed anything. That position requires hard, but I am willing to put in the necessary effort.”
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Jefferson was the next receiver taken in 2020 after the Steelers selected Chase Claypool, and he was selected by the Rams in the second round out of Florida. Shawn Jefferson’s father played wide receiver in the NFL for 13 seasons, with four different clubs.
Eight times, Jefferson was the target of
After the season, the Falcons sacked head coach Arthur Smith, who had only 12 catches in 12 games with Jefferson. Smith was just named offensive coordinator for the Steelers.
Jefferson has played both in the slot and on the outside during his career.
After former teammate Allen Robinson left to play for the 2023 Steelers, Jefferson, the oldest of the 12 receivers on the Steelers squad (he turns 28 next month), took on the role of mentor for younger teammates.
Austin remarked, “He’s been at the top, won a Super Bowl, and is just a consistent person.” “He has a positive attitude when he arrives at work. There are many things you might learn about his style of play.
“You’ll witness some of the best routes and footwork from him. That’s something I give careful consideration to. and Van possesses all of that, as well as short-area quickness, footwork, consistency, and precision.
