Coming into training camp, the Los Angeles Rams are going to look to revamp their offense that fell toward the bottom of the league during the 2022 season.
Injuries to Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp completely derailed the offense, but with both on track to be 100 percent healthy for the 2023 campaign there is more optimism the Rams can return to form. However, although the Stafford-Kupp pairing should be available there’s an open question as to who will step up behind Kupp.
Van Jefferson has the inside track given his tenure and familiarity with the scheme, though Los Angeles did sign a few veteran options in free agency to beef up the competition. Tyler Johnson is a name some might recognize as he played with Tom Brady on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that won Super Bowl LV.
Johnson has been buried on depth charts before, but is still hopeful to emerge as the complimentary pass catcher next to Kupp via Lorenzo Reyna of Heavy.com:
“It’s all in God’s hands,” Johnson told one-on-one to Heavy. “I’m just coming out here and looking forward to competing, then taking in everything day-by-day. My goal for myself is just get one percent better each day. I’m excited for that and excited for what’s ahead and I can’t wait.”
As far as the wide receiver room in general goes, though, Johnson believes they’ll be in the running for one of the best pass catching corps in the league:
“[There are] A lot of guys who have played a lot of football. I feel like this group is definitely going to be one of the good groups,” Johnson said. “I’m excited to go out there and work with them plus compete with them as well.”
Still only 24 years old, Johnson might have some untapped upside that the Rams are banking on. In Tampa Bay, Johnson had to play behind star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and long-time Brady favorite Rob Gronkowski. In Los Angeles, there’s a clearer path to more snaps but Johnson will need to beat out several of his peers in order to earn that opportunity.
Sean McVay says Van Jefferson will be big part of offense in 2023
While Johnson is an interesting flyer, all signs point to Jefferson assuming a larger role in the offense next season. Sean McVay confirmed as much when he said that Jefferson would be a big part of their 2023 season.
