NASHVILLE – Van Jefferson is back in Music City, hoping to flourish in the city he grew up in.
The Titans receiver knows what he needs to do to give himself the best chance.
"Every day, working," Jefferson said. "It's just about staying ready, and staying ready for the opportunity when the opportunity presents itself. I think if I do that, I'll be fine."
Jefferson, who played at Ravenwood High School, signed with the Titans back in March.
Wearing No.11, he's been running routes in offseason workouts on the same practice fields where his father, Shawn, was receivers coach with the Titans. Back then, the young Jefferson was a regular at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park, when he'd cross paths with then-Titans receivers Nate Washington, Kendall Wright, Kenny Britt and others in the hallways.
He's thrilled to be back.
"I remember coming here with my dad, walking with him throughout the facility," Jefferson said. "So, just coming back was crazy to see. So, it's great. Obviously, I am just here to compete and win and get to know my teammates. It's a full circle moment."
The 28-year-old Jefferson played last season in Pittsburgh, where he tallied 24 grabs for 276 yards and two touchdowns for the Steelers.
In five NFL seasons, Jefferson has totaled 137 receptions for 1,876 yards and 12 touchdowns in 78 games. His breakout season came in 2021 for the Rams, when he recorded 50 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns. His receiving and yardage totals ranked third on the team that would go on to win Super Bowl LVI.
Jefferson is excited about his opportunity in Tennessee.
"It's a great opportunity," he said. "We have a great group of guys in the room, guys I can learn from, guys that are there who are hungry as well. I am just coming in and doing my part and letting the chips fall where they fall. At the end of the day, we are just here working right now, in OTAs, and progressing into training camp.
"(Right now) I am just learning the playbook – that's my main focus. I am just learning plays and learning each position so I can be on the field at any position I need to be."
Jefferson said he likes the group around him in the receiving corps.
"Obviously I've known Calvin (Ridley) from afar, and the things that he's done from college to the league," Jefferson said. "He's just savvy in his routes, and stuff like that. I'm learning from Tyler (Lockett), who is a savvy vet, and all the great things he did in Seattle. And you have some other guys in the league like Bryce (Oliver), who has played some here, learning from him and Mason (Kinsey) and those guys. So I am just soaking it all in – we have some great guys in the room that I can learn from and we're all just going to be competing."
Jefferson said he's also already been impressed by rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who was selected by the Titans with the first pick of the NFL Draft.
"I think Cam's leadership, the way he has come in and put his nose into the playbook and how he has bee around the guys, after practice, getting throws in, that is something you like to see," Jefferson said. "He is very adamant about learning the playbook as fast as he can, so he can play his best when he is on the field.
"As he continues to grow and grow, you are going to see that come out of him. I am excited for his opportunity and what he can do."
