Atlanta Falcons QB Desmond Ridder Looks to Get on 'Same Page' With New WR Van Jefferson

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder and wide receiver Van Jefferson are working to establish chemistry as new teammates.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder has a new weapon at his disposal.

Atlanta acquired wide receiver Van Jefferson from the Los Angeles Rams via a trade on Tuesday, and as the Falcons look to establish more offensive consistency in the coming weeks, this pass game duo will also be looking to develop chemistry sooner rather than later.

Ridder seemed to take a step forward in his progression as a young quarterback in last week's win over the Houston Texans, but can he and Jefferson become another dangerous combination in this offense?

"Obviously, never thrown with him or done anything before coming into a new offense for him," Ridder said. "It's going to take a little time to get connected, get on the same page, make sure that we're communicating, and then the physical part of it.

"I'm going to see out there in practice how routes are run, how he gets in and out of his breaks, and then it just becomes the mental part. Can we catch him up as quick as possible to get him out there and get him on the field playing?"

Dec 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) celebrates after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jefferson, 27, is in the last year of his rookie contract and was the Rams' second-leading receiver in 2021 with 802 yards and six touchdowns on 50 receptions, but he hasn't returned to that form since. So far this season in Los Angeles, Jefferson had caught eight passes for a total of 108 yards. 

Can he return to his previous form with more consistent playing time in Atlanta? That is the hope for the Falcons, but first, he will work on establishing a repertoire with his new quarterback.