Aaron Rodgers has a new deep-ball threat working for the New York Jets next season, the team announced Tuesday, as Mike Williams heads to the team on a one-year deal.
According to ESPN, Williams was waiting in Florham Park, New Jersey, to sign a contract reportedly worth up to $15 million.
The 29-year-old receiver was released by the Los Angeles Chargers last week, saving him millions of dollars in cap space below his baseline for the 2024 season. The Jets were looking for an upgrade at the receiver position, and general manager Joe Douglas would not allow Williams to leave the Garden State without a deal.
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Mike Williams of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams on September 23, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (Harry Howe/Getty Images)
Williams was reportedly scheduled to visit the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers after meeting with the Jets, but New York had its own priorities.
Williams will team up with Jets star wideout Garrett Wilson. He has gained over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons with the team. Injuries have been an issue for Williams in recent seasons, most notably with his torn ACL in Week 3 of last season.
But when healthy, Williams is one of the best deep-ball threats the game has to offer, leading the league with at least 200 catches and 15.8 yards per reception since 2018. Are standing.
Chargers release Mike Williams to save $20 million and stay under NFL salary cap
Williams was selected seventh overall by the Chargers in the 2017 NFL Draft and formed a top receiving duo for many years with Keenan Allen, who was traded to the Chicago Bears this offseason. Williams had a breakout year in 2019, totaling 1,001 yards and two touchdowns on just 49 receptions. His 20.4 yards per catch led the NFL.
After setting career highs with 76 catches for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021, the Chargers gave him a three-year contract worth $60 million before the start of the 2022 season.
Williams missed four games in the regular season that year and did not play in the team’s disappointing loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs.
The Jets know how to get the most out of the combination of Wilson and Williams in an offense run by Rodgers, but Allen Lazard’s position remains ambiguous. He followed the former Green Bay Packers quarterback to New York and signed a four-year contract with the Jets last offseason. However, Lazard only had 23 catches and was benched last season.
Mike Williams of the Los Angeles Chargers catches the ball during the third quarter of a game against the Chiefs on September 15, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
He has a fully guaranteed $10 million salary for next season, and there are reports that the Jets are considering trading him, but he has no suitors yet.
The Jets are hoping 2024 gets off to a better start than last season. Rodgers played just four snaps before tearing his Achilles tendon in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
Zach Wilson took over as quarterback, but just like in 2022, head coach Robert Saleh couldn’t give him the job and he was benched again. New York ultimately finished the year 7-10.
Douglas has been active in filling holes on the team’s roster, especially on the offensive line in front of Rodgers. Two veteran tackles, Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, will anchor the final line, and former Baltimore Raven guard John Simpson will fill in inside at guard after Laken Tomlinson is released.
Mike Williams of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates playing catch against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Playoff game on January 6, 2019 in Baltimore. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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Other free agent signings include Rodgers’ new backup Tyrod Taylor, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, cornerback Isaiah Oliver and defensive tackle Leki Fotu.
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