Van is on the move.
After almost four years with the Rams, wide receiver Van Jefferson is trading the Hollywood cool for Hotlanta, as LA and Atlanta struck a quick deal Tuesday.
Jefferson was a contributor in the Rams' Super Bowl-winning season in 2021, but he found himself the odd man out in the wide receiver room thanks to Puka Nacua's emergence, Cooper Kupp's return and Tutu Atwell's development.
MORE: How to pronounce 'Puka Nacua?' It sounds like 'star'
Now, Jefferson heads to Atlanta, where the Falcons will hope he brings a bit more juice to an offense that needs action on the outside for Desmond Ridder.
Here's how the trade breaks down for both sides:
Van Jefferson trade details
On Oct. 10, the Rams and Falcons struck a deal to send wide receiver Van Jefferson to Atlanta. Here's how the trade breaks down:
- Falcons receive: WR Van Jefferson, 2025 seventh-round pick
- Rams receive: 2025 sixth-round pick
In all, it's a relatively low-cost move for a young receiver for Atlanta. Jefferson has flashed some upside throughout the course of his career, but his target share has dropped over the last two seasons after a career-high in volume in 2021. The Rams wide receiver room got a bit top-heavy with Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp and Tutu Atwell.
The Falcons' run-heavy offense desperately needed more receiving help, and Jefferson adds depth if nothing else. Desmond Ridder hasn't exactly performed up to snuff in 2023, and the Falcons are sure to get a bit more out of the WR room now with Jefferson involved.
Van Jefferson stats
In his career, Jefferson has caught 101 passes for 1,499 yards and 10 touchdowns. Most of that damage came in 2021, when he caught 50 passes for 802 yards in 17 games.
Here's a year-by-year breakdown on Jefferson (stats via Pro Football Reference and Pro Football Focus):
| Year | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns | PFF grade* |
| 2020 | 31 | 19 | 220 | 1 | 70.9 |
| 2021 | 89 | 50 | 802 | 6 | 59.5 |
| 2022 | 44 | 24 | 369 | 3 | 67.7 |
| 2023 | 15 | 8 | 108 | 0 | 70.9 |
*Receiving grade
Van Jefferson contract details
Jefferson is in the final year of his four-year rookie contract, which was worth $5,611,134. As such, he'll be a free agent after the season and only accounts for $1,785,361 against the salary cap in 2023.
It's unclear if the Falcons are planning to offer an extension for the 27-year-old, but any new deal probably would come in short on money and years. Jefferson will likely sign a deal in the two-year range, worth around $12 million total.
MORE: How Puka Nacua is proving to be a massive NFL Draft steal
Van Jefferson father
A trade to the Falcons means that Van Jefferson will be playing in the same division in which his father coaches; Shawn Jefferson, Van's dad, is currently with the Panthers as the team's wide receivers coach.
The elder Jefferson actually does have ties to Atlanta, however — at least, more than his son. He played with the Falcons between 2000 and 2002, catching 124 passes for 1,755 yards and five touchdowns in that span. He finished out his career in Detroit in 2003.
After his retirement, it wouldn't take long for Shawn Jefferson to find his way back to an NFL sideline. He joined the Lions in 2006 as an assistant, working his way up to wide receivers coach in 2008. In 2013, he joined the Titans, with stops in Miami, New York (Jets) and Arizona before being hired to Frank Reich's staff on the Panthers this offseason.