Sean McVay Supports Rams WR Van Jefferson Amid Slow Start

Despite a slow start from Los Angeles Rams receiver Van Jefferson, coach Sean McVay still has the utmost confidence in him.

In the absence of star receiver Cooper Kupp, the Los Angeles Rams have had to rely on younger wideouts to start the season.

So far, they've seen better results than many expected. The biggest standout has been fifth-round rookie Puka Nacua, who set an NFL record with 25 receptions in his first two career games. Third-year receiver Tutu Atwell has also been a pleasant surprise, averaging nearly 100 yards per game.

On the other hand, fourth-year receiver Van Jefferson has gotten lost in the shuffle. Through two games, the 2020 second-round pick only has five receptions for 33 yards on nine targets. Once a reliable No. 3 or even No. 2 receiver, Jefferson has seemingly become an afterthought in the Rams' offense.

However, coach Sean McVay doesn't see it that way. On Monday, McVay made it clear that he still has confidence in Jefferson despite the slow start.

"But in a lot of instances, Van Jefferson is number one right there and you're trying to get him the ball in a crunch-time situation. I think there's a lot of layers, as you know, and I also believe in Van and I think he can play better than what he has these first couple games."

In the past, Jefferson has shown that he can be a productive NFL receiver. His best season came in 2021 when he had 50 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns. He took a step back in 2022 with just 24 receptions for 369 yards and three touchdowns, but like many other Rams last season, he dealt with injuries that caused him to miss six games.

Perhaps Jefferson's struggles this season could be due to an adjustment in the scheme. With a career average of 14.5 yards per reception, Jefferson is clearly best suited as a deep threat. 

However, the Rams haven't been as keen to take deep shots this season, at least so far. In fact, quarterback Matthew Stafford's 6.1 air yards per attempt are his lowest since his rookie season in 2009.

If the Rams do decide to utilize the deep ball more, then maybe Jefferson could realize the potential he showed earlier in his career.