Aaron Rodgers is expected to make an incredible return in 2024 from his previous season-ending injury. The New York Jets, after parting ways with Zach Wilson, are strategically fortifying their team around Rodgers. The team has already been bolstered by key signings like Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses. Their defense remains formidable, with no significant losses in free agency.
The Jets were also poised to make a formidable offense around A-Rod. The keen plan urged them to sign former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams to their mighty squad.
Mike Williams signs 1 year, $15M Jets contract
The Jets bolstered their receiving corps by signing Mike Williams to a one-year contract worth up to $15 million, via Reuters. This deal halts his planned visits to other potential suitors, like the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Jets have made a strategic move by adding Williams to their roster, further strengthening their team. The financial details indicate that there is a potential to distribute the cap hit over multiple years, but the main point is that they now have a very impressive wide receiver.
Mike Williams is signing a one-year deal worth up to $15 million with the Jets, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2024
The former seventh overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft has impressed with his skills on the field. Throughout the last five years, he has consistently averaged 65.3 receiving yards per game, which places him in the top 20 wide receivers in the league based on that measure. With an impressive 31 touchdowns since 2018, he has established himself as a formidable scoring threat.
The veteran endured setbacks such as a season-ending ACL injury in 2023 and a previous postseason absence due to a back fracture, but his track record speaks volumes. He recorded 309 receptions for 4,806 yards along with 31 touchdowns in 88 career games.
Williams will line up opposite Garrett Wilson on the Jets team, forming a dynamic one-two punch at the wide receiver position. Prior to Williams’ arrival, the Jets’ receiving corps appeared lacking in depth behind Wilson. The other receivers on the team’s roster were Allen Lazard, Jason Brownlee, Xavier Gipson, Lance McCutcheon, Irvin Charles, and Malik Taylor.
Now, with Williams onboard, the team boasts a formidable tandem capable of stretching the field and creating matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.
What does Mike Williams exit mean for Chargers?
Mike Williams’ departure coincides with a series of moves made to tackle the Chargers’ salary cap limitations. The team observed the negotiations with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, two important defensive players.
The Chargers made the decision to release Williams due to financial considerations, as they were under increasing pressure to adhere to the 2024 salary cap. With his generous $17 million salary in the last year of his contract, he became a strong contender for release, resulting in significant savings of $20 million for the team.
With Mike Williams landing on the Jets and Keenan Allen on the Bears, the Chargers current top wideouts are projected to be Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer and Simi Fehoko. https://t.co/093RnIt7lD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2024
The Chargers earlier reshaped their receiving corps by trading Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears after he declined to accept a pay cut. Reports suggest a potential reunion between Williams and the Chargers is not out of the question. However, he was already attracting interest from other teams across the league before getting picked by the Jets.
Williams served as the No. 2 receiver alongside Allen, providing a reliable target for quarterback Justin Herbert. With both Williams and Allen now gone, the Chargers will look to a new crop of receivers to step up and fill the void. Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, and Simi Fehoko are among the top receivers expected to lead the team’s receiving corps moving forward.
