The Falcons have acquired wide receiver Van Jefferson from the Los Angeles Rams. As reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the trade involved late-round picks for the 2025 season in a transaction that has been officially announced by both teams.



The Falcons are hoping to revive Van Jefferson’s career. In 2021, the 6-foot-1 wideout recorded an impressive 802 yards on 50 catches with six touchdowns. It’s a calculated move with while they strive for increased offensive potency led by Desmond Ridder as they chase an NFC South title.



Despite the Falcons operating primarily as a run-first offense, they boast a talented pass-catching group, and Jefferson’s arrival is set to bolster an ensemble already featuring Drake London and tight ends Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith.



<h2>Van Jefferson Traded to Falcons as Emergence of New Talents Alters Rams’ Lineup</h2>



Van Jefferson’s departure from the Rams became imminent due to the emergence of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, which left him as the odd man out in the rotation. He was subsequently traded to the Falcons in a swap involving 2025 late-round picks, specifically sixth- and seventh-rounders.



Before Kupp’s return, Van Jefferson had already been struggling to make a significant impact. Puka Nacua’s electrifying early-season performances and Tutu Atwell’s emergence as a threat pushed Jefferson down the depth chart.



In the first four games of the season, he could only manage eight catches for 108 yards, an output that was roughly equivalent to what Nacua could achieve in a single game. This situation had relegated Jefferson to the role of the No. 4 receiver with the Rams.

Falcons Trade for Van Jefferson with Rams in Late-Round Swap of Picks

Falcons Trade for Van Jefferson with Rams in Late-Round Swap of Picks - thesportsdrops NEWS

miniaturas

When the Chiefs won their second Super Bowl in as many years on Super Bowl Sunday, the regular 2022 season of the National Football League was officially over. Planning for the offseason of 2023 has begun.



There were plenty of shocks in the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-how-much-does-the-super-bowl-mvp-winner-receive-20230211-SPD-3394.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2022 NFL season</a>, with seven of the league’s clubs have made the playoffs after not doing so the year before. The NFL’s parity is what makes the offseason so exciting. The following season will likely be quite similar, with clubs working hard to make the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-how-much-do-super-bowl-rings-cost-20230212-SPD-3400.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2023 NFL Playoffs</a> and gain ground on the underdogs who surprised in the postseason the previous year.



No one knows which clubs will acquire which highly-touted draft prospects in April, and no one knows which star players will be traded or signed as free agents. CBS Sports, however, have figured out which teams have the highest chance of making significant improvements in the next season.



<h2>3. Indianapolis Colts</h2>



With the fourth overall selection in hand, Chris Ballard will be in a great position to make a long-term commitment at quarterback. They are also returning to the familiar practice of swapping offensive coordinators with the Eagles, so regardless of which talent winds up on their radar – C.J. Stroud of Ohio State and Will Levis of Kentucky seem to be reasonable targets, provided Alabama’s Bryce Young is gone.



<h2>2. New York Jets</h2>



One area that is still up in the air is their offensive line. If the team adds a superstar quarterback like Aaron Rodgers or Lamar Jackson, then the new offensive coaching tandem of Nathaniel Hackett and Todd Downing would be interesting. This team could certainly win more games with a backup quarterback like Derek Carr or Jimmy Garoppolo than with their current starter.



<h2>1. Los Angeles Rams</h2>



The Rams had such a bad year in 2022 that Les Snead would consider selling in order to recuperate some much-needed assets for the remainder of Sean McVay’s tenure as head coach. Even though the Cardinals, 49ers, and Seahawks all have distinct but huge question marks at QB, it’s hard to assume they won’t be back in the mix with the McVay-Matthew Stafford combination returning and the O-line likely in improved health along with No. 1 wideout Cooper Kupp.

Top 3 NFL teams with most potential for improvement in 2023

Top 3 NFL teams with most potential for improvement in 2023 - thesportsdrops NEWS

The <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/odell-beckham-jr-s-return-to-rams-looks-unlikely-after-recieving-lowest-offer-20221012-SPD-2960.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Rams</a> headed into the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-rumors-patrick-mahomes-and-potential-mvp-candidates-of-2022-season-20221108-SPD-3092.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2022 NFL season</a> with high aspirations, aiming to build off a fantastic campaign that saw them win the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/patrick-mahomes-admission-on-chiefs-shocking-loss-to-bengals-in-2022-nfl-playoffs-2485-20220809-SPD-2485.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super Bowl</a> at home. However, nothing has gone according to plan so far.



While quarterback Matthew Stafford struggled from the very beginning with his elbow, the team was struck by injuries throughout the season. Therefore, their record this year is not even close to that of the previous campaign.



On Sunday, the Rams suffered their eighth loss of the season, which is why their playoff hopes look practically over. Disappointing as it may seem, they would not be the first to miss the playoffs the year after they won the Super Bowl. These are some other teams.



<h2>New York Giants</h2>



The New York Giants had a big decision to make after their 1991 Super Bowl win, with Bill Parcells stepping away from head coaching. Of course, time proved they missed out on a fantastic head coach by promoting Ray Handley instead of Bill Belichick. The Giants missed the playoffs the next season with an 8-8 record.



The team experienced the same feeling two decades later, failing to qualify for the playoffs in the 2012 season just a year after beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl.



<h2>Denver Broncos</h2>



The retirement of John Elway after the 1999 Super Bowl victory certainly took a toll on the Broncos, who missed the playoffs the following season with a 6-10 record. History repeated itself in 2016, as Denver failed to overcome Peyton Manning’s retirement and missed the 2016-17 postseason after winning the Super Bowl in February.



<h2>New England Patriots</h2>



Adam Vinatieri’s clutch, 48-yard field goal against the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI gave the Patriots their first Vince Lombardi trophy in February 2002. Only a season later, New England failed to make the playoffs by going 9-7.



<h2>Tampa Bay Buccaneers</h2>



After winning their first ever Super Bowl in 2003, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers missed the postseason the following year as they went 7-9.



<h2>Pittsburgh Steelers</h2>



The Pittsburgh Steelers have experienced the Super Bowl hangover twice in recent years. After winning the Vince Lombardi against all odds in 2006, the Steelers went 8-8 in their next season and missed the playoffs. Something similar happened in the 2009 season, as their 9-7 record wasn’t enough to try and challenge for back-to-back championships.



<h2>Baltimore Ravens</h2>



The Ravens were unable to repeat their success from the 2012-13 season, going 8-8 in the year after they won Super Bowl XLVII.

Rams could join list of NFL teams that missed playoffs a year after Super Bowl win

Rams could join list of NFL teams that missed playoffs a year after Super Bowl win - thesportsdrops NEWS

For as long as <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/odell-beckham-jr-names-five-nfl-clubs-that-have-his-attention-for-eventual-comeback-20221007-SPD-2931.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Odell Beckham Jr.</a> has been a free agent, the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/will-cooper-rush-bench-dak-prescott-jerry-jones-speaks-up-on-cowboys-qb-situation-20221011-SPD-2944.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Rams</a> have been among the favorites to sign him. After being released by the Cleveland Browns last year, he joined them and ended up winning the Super Bowl. 



It was claimed this week by ESPN that OBJ’s most probable landing location would be with his former side, the Rams, but on Wednesday he poured cold water on that story. 



This week, a Twitter account going by the handle “Built in Buffalo” claimed that OBJ had been seen at the Buffalo airport. Because of this, a discussion broke out among the supporters, and the 29-year-old ultimately joined in. The wide receiver said on Twitter that the Rams’ offer was below-average.



<h2>What Odell Beckham Jr. thinks of Rams’ bid</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“LA knows where I wanted to be… but they didn’t offer me…. ANYthing! So idk what people want me to do, I def kno my worth and what the offer was isn’t reflective of that. So it’s tough to say that I can come on back even tho I thought I finally found that home !“But YES LA treated me normal and special all in the same breath , we see how that played out! For both sides. I went out to win a (trophy) there knowin the risk of playin without an ACL… and then I got the lowest of low offers after that goin into the next season. Impossible (laughing emojis)”</blockquote>

Odell Beckham Jr.'s return to Rams looks unlikely after recieving lowest offer

Odell Beckham Jr.'s return to Rams looks unlikely after recieving lowest offer - thesportsdrops NEWS

The San Francisco 49ers took down the reigning Super Bowl champions on Monday night to get back to winning ways. The Niners pulled off a 24-9 home win to make their record 2-2.



It’s not like the hosts needed extra motivation to get the win, given that they were on a losing record prior to the game. However, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/49ers-planned-to-trade-jimmy-garoppolo-to-commanders-2814-20220922-SPD-2814.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jimmy Garoppolo</a> and George Kittle revealed that <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-news-49ers-coach-kyle-shanahan-says-deebo-samuel-inspires-him-2423-20220801-SPD-2423.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyle Shanahan</a> found a way to lit a fire beneath them.



The 49ers head coach made the team rewatch last season’s NFC Championship game, in which they lost to the Rams. According to Garoppolo and Kittle, that worked.



<h2>Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle reveal Kyle Shanahan’s way to give them extra motivation vs. Rams</h2>



“Just watching that film, you feel the emotions … Just watching the film, it’s silent, but you can take yourself back to that spot and put yourself in that emotional state you were in. I think that’s good for competitors; I really do. After last week, too, it gave us a little motivation,” Garoppolo said, via 49ers Webzone.



“Just rewatching it this week definitely adds a little fuel to the fire. They’re out there talking a little bit of smack about it, and you’re like, ‘Last year is last year. We’re just going to do our best to give it to you this year,” Kittle said.

How Kyle Shanahan inspired Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle for 49ers' MNF win over Rams

How Kyle Shanahan inspired Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle for 49ers' MNF win over Rams - thesportsdrops NEWS

Longtime linebacker <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/veteran-jason-mccourty-hangs-up-cleats-after-13-years-in-nfl-2220-20220715-SPD-2220.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bobby Wagner</a> was released by the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-news-tom-brady-could-retire-for-good-in-2023-if-bucaneers-win-super-bowl-2204-20220714-SPD-2204.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seattle Seahawks</a>. For the first time in his illustrious career, the linebacker had been a free agent after 10 years with the team.



Since March 2022, Wagner had been a salary cap casualty. The 32-year-old then inked a five-year deal with the NFC West division rival <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-rumors-browns-target-free-agent-ndamukong-suh-2197-20220713-SPD-2197.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Rams</a> less than a month after the Seahawks cut him off.



In spite of this, Wagner continues to show his dedication to the Seattle community by hosting a charity field day earlier this week. Even though he wasn’t pleased with the Seahawks’ decision to let him go, Wagner said at the event that he was eager to continue his career in Southern California, where he was born and raised.



<h2>What Bobby Wagner said of his Seahawks departure</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Obviously, there are still feelings there [about being released]. But at the end of the day, I have a different perspective. I think my opinion on it would have been different if I ended up somewhere else. But to have the opportunity to go home and play not far from my family. Like I haven’t played this close to my family since high school [Colony High in Ontario, Calif.].“I didn’t want to leave Seattle. But if I was going to leave Seattle, home was the next-best thing for me and so being able to be home, like I’m at peace with the situation. But still, any competitor is looking forward to going back to the place that you played that they felt like you didn’t have nothing left and proving them wrong.”<cite>Wagner told Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times</cite></blockquote>

NFL News: Bobby Wagner explains decision to join Rams after Seahawks release - thesportsdrops NEWS

NFL News: Bobby Wagner explains decision to join Rams after Seahawks release

A year after his team’s championship run in Super Bowl LVI, Aaron Donald considered calling it quits in the NFL altogether.



The defensive tackle is expected to return to the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, but the team is yet to negotiate a new deal with him.



In terms of salary, Donald tops the defensive tackles pack at $22.5 million per year, but if the Rams and the defensive lineman come close to a deal, it would see him earn far more.



<h2>Why Aaron Donald could retire from playing?</h2>



However, the latest reports suggest that Donald is allegedly contemplating retiring if the team does not make changes to his contract.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Donald has a number he will play for. If it’s not met, retirement can still go down. Keep in mind that the retirement buzz around Donald — first delivered by NBC’s Rodney Harrison on the Super Bowl pregame broadcast — was always real. And it’s my understanding that Donald has a number he will play for. If it’s not met, retirement can still go down. Adding years to an already existing three-year pact takes Donald well into his mid-30s, and who knows whether he wants to play that long? But that’s the best way for Los Angeles to stretch out the money for cap purposes.“<cite>Jeremy Fowler of ESPN</cite></blockquote>

Los Angeles Rams