The Los Angeles wide receiver returned to the Chargers this offseason, but after another injury, announced his retirement
Mike Williams spent eight seasons in the NFL—all but one with the Chargers—but the wide receiver couldn’t outrun injury yet again. The man who had only suited up for as many as 16 games twice was set for a homecoming of sorts with Los Angeles after a year away. Unfortunately, the team announced that an undisclosed injury would have him start the 2025 training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Just hours after the announcement, the 30-year-old told the club he would be retiring.
The South Carolina native who starred on the 2016 Clemson Tigers national championship team had a pro career derailed at every turn by injury woes. His best stretch was from 2019 to 2022, when he put up a pair of 1,000-yard seasons. Most impressive was in 2019 when he did so on only 49 catches, aided by an astronomical 20.4 yards per catch (YPC), which led the NFL.
Williams’ physical ailments cost him a significant stretch of games nearly every season. However, he still leaves the game boasting totals of 330 catches for 5,104 yards. He found paydirt 33 times and was one of the first rookies drafted (No. 7 overall) upon the Chargers’ relocation to Los Angeles in 2017.
Author: Sam Schneider (@BuyAndSellYou)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams, who was ...
The Los Angeles Chargers have placed wide receiver Mike ...
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that he ...
The Los Angeles Chargers have placed veteran Wide Receiver Mike Williams on the PUP List.
Mike Williams has been added to the PUP List by the Chargers. Williams signed a one-year contract worth up to $6 million during free agency to reunite with the team he has been part of for the majority of his career. The news does not mean Williams will miss games, but it has opened up a window for rookie WR Tre Harris or Quentin Johnston to grab an opportunity at being the team’s WR2 behind Ladd McConkey.
Williams was known for his field stretching and contested catch ability, while Keenan Allen occupied the slot in what was a highly dynamic Chargers offense. Last season, we saw Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey break out and become the alpha for the Chargers. Now, can we see Tre Harris emerge as a big-bodied target to work in tandem with Ladd, or does Quentin Johnston show any sign of life and become what the Chargers envisioned when he was selected 23rd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Harris is currently a holdout over a disagreement over guaranteed money. Now, the Mike Williams designation gives Quentin Johnston the early leg up on valuable reps and building chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert.
Author: Dane Madoche(@FF_DaMaddog)
Wide Receiver Tre Harris’ Holdout Highlights Broader Second-Round Contract Standoff.
The Chargers became the first NFL team to open training camp this weekend, with rookies scheduled to report – but second-round pick Tre Harris was notably absent. Selected 55th overall, Harris has yet to sign his rookie contract, part of a broader standoff affecting the entire second round. Just two of the 32 second-rounders have signed deals so far, and both contracts were fully guaranteed – marking a significant shift under the rookie wage scale established by the 2011 collective bargaining agreement. It’s now believed that all unsigned second-round picks are seeking fully guaranteed deals, a precedent that could reshape rookie contracts going forward.
While the holdup isn’t exclusive to Harris, his absence could have an impact on the Chargers’ depth chart. With the rookie sidelined, 2023 first-rounder Quentin Johnston – still just 23, and entering his third season – now has a clearer path to retaining a starting role.
This also opens up opportunity for Mike Williams, who rejoined the team on a modest one-year, $3 million deal. Now 31, Williams will need to prove he still has something left in the tank after a disappointing 2024 campaign in which he totaled just 298 yards. This receiver room remains wide open – and for now, one of its key additions is missing.
Author: Pat Mitchell(@PatMitchellFF)
Former First-Round Pick Quentin Johnston is Facing Depth Chart Pressure.
According to the Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Quentin Johnston may be in danger of losing his starting role in the Chargers offense. The team added second-round rookie Tre Harris and brought back veteran Mike Williams – a longtime favorite of Justin Herbert – creating real competition behind rookie standout Ladd McConkey.
Johnston showed flashes in Year 2, but his late-season struggles were hard to ignore. He had multiple key drops in a week 12 loss to Baltimore and went catchless on five targets in the Chargers’ Wild Card loss to Houston. With no ties to the current regime – who arrived a year after he was drafted – Johnston isn’t likely to benefit from any built-in loyalty as training camp battles unfold.
There are still reasons for optimism. Johnston led the Chargers in receiving touchdowns (8) and red zone targets (12), and ranked second among qualified wide receivers in evasion rate. A more specialized role – perhaps as a flanker or big slot – could better suit his after-the-catch ability and limit exposure to contested catch situations. This wide receiver room will be one of the more intriguing battles to monitor in camp.
Author: Pat Mitchell (@PatMitchellFF)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded a 2025 fifth-round pick to the New York Jets for wide receiver Mike Williams, per Adam Schefter.
After multiple failed attempts at trading for a quality pass-catcher, the Steelers finally struck a deal to acquire Williams. Wide receiver depth has been one of Pittsburgh’s most glaring roster holes since the start of the season. Dating back to this offseason, the Steelers reportedly tried obtaining Brandon Aiyuk and Davante Adams, among others. After swinging and missing on previous options, the Steelers add Williams to their receiver rotation.
Williams spent the first seven years of his career with the Chargers before signing a one-year contract with the Jets this offseason. He topped 1,000 receiving yards in 2019 and 2021, but recent injuries have kept him on the sidelines. The start of 2024 hasn’t been much kinder to Williams as he’s been mostly uninvolved in the Jets’ offensive gameplan. His 1.3 receptions and 18.4 yards per game are the lowest marks since his rookie season. With Pittsburgh, Williams has a golden opportunity to re-establish himself as an NFL starter. George Pickens leads the team with 548 receiving yards, more than double the next closest receiver on the Steelers. Williams should be a key part of Pittsburgh’s passing game and can regain fantasy relevance if he sparks a connection with Russell Wilson.
Written by @TreyK_FB (Twitter/X)
Mike Williams to play week 1, but not in a full-time capacity.
The New York Jets free agent acquisition Mike Williams has progressed very well since being activated from the PUP list. He is practicing, and what Jets head coach Robert Saleh has seen is enough for him to feel confident that he will be able to “make his mark” in limited action. Per the coach speak index account on X, Saleh has a 40% reliability rating for injuries. Williams tore his ACL in week 3 of 2023 season.
Williams catch radius and his body control make him and intriguing target very late in drafts. His quarterback has shown a propensity for targeting his archetype of wide receiver in the redzone. Williams is well worth the late round dart throw for his touchdown efficiency and could easily out perform his current 14th round price tag.
