The Los Angeles Chargers made headlines Wednesday night by announcing their reunion with wide receiver Mike Williams, a move that brings the 30-year-old back to the team where he first built his NFL reputation.
According to sources, Williams is joining the Chargers on a one-year contract potentially valued at $6 million, a detail that was initially reported by Fox Sports and later confirmed by ESPN’s Kris Rhim.
Williams first donned the Chargers’ jersey in 2017 after being drafted as the seventh overall pick from Clemson. During his seven-year stint with the team, he developed into a formidable player, tallying over 1,000 receiving yards in two seasons. Notably, in 2019, he led the league with an impressive average of 20.4 yards per reception.
The wide receiver ventured away from Los Angeles just last offseason, signing with the New York Jets. However, his time there was less fruitful, as he managed only 12 catches from 21 targets, amassing 166 yards over nine games. His stint with the Jets came to a close when he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers at the deadline for a fifth-round draft pick.
In Pittsburgh, Williams instantly made his mark by scoring a game-winning touchdown against the Washington Commanders on November 10. Despite this explosive start, he took on a more subdued role thereafter, concluding the season with nine receptions for 132 yards over the same number of games.
Throughout his eight-year NFL journey, Williams has accumulated 32 touchdown receptions and 5,104 receiving yards on 330 catches. His career has not been without challenges, as injuries sidelined him, including an ACL tear in 2023, and caused him to miss significant playing time in previous seasons.
Now, Williams is poised for a new chapter as he joins forces with quarterback Justin Herbert once again, in a Chargers’ receiving lineup that also features talents like Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. This reunion brings both excitement and anticipation for Chargers fans, eager to see how Williams’ return will bolster their team’s dynamic.
Credit to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor for her contributions to this coverage.
