Rams QB Matthew Stafford 'Confident' in WR Van Jefferson
In order for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season, it is crucial for his receiving corps, beyond Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp, to elevate their performance.
And one player whom Stafford is witnessing encouraging progress from is wide receiver, Van Jefferson.
"Yeah, he's a really good player," Stafford said. "It was unfortunate what happened last year, just missing some time and having to battle through what he battled through. He's a resilient kid and has done a nice job coming back, working himself into the mental position and the shape that he's in right now."
During the Rams' Super Bowl-winning season in 2021, Jefferson showcased considerable potential, finishing second on the team with 802 receiving yards and six touchdowns. However, his performance was hindered last year due to injuries, restricting him to just 11 games, where he only managed to catch 24 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns.
Due to Stafford's injuries, he could only participate in nine games, and as a result, he and Jefferson rarely had the opportunity to be on the field together in 2022.
However, the veteran quarterback expressed his belief that the more they practice and throw together during the offseason, the greater the optimism for Jefferson's performance heading into 2023.
"The more reps I get with him better and I know he feels really confident going into the season," Stafford said. "We feel confident in him."
As this is Jefferson's final season on his rookie contract, it will be a critical year for the receiver as he looks to prove that he can be a long-term starter in the NFL.
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