Mike Williams returned to the Jets' practice facility on Thursday after missing a walkthrough the previous day for what the team cited as personal reasons.
The veteran receiver was publicly criticized by quarterback Aaron Rodgers for running the wrong route in a loss to the Bills late Monday night, a day after the Jets fell to 2-4 with the loss. In 2015, they traded him for six-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams. season.
With less than three weeks left until the Nov. 5 trade deadline, Williams' future with the Jets appears to be in jeopardy.
Todd Downing, the Jets' passing game coordinator and new play-caller, said before Thursday's practice that he wasn't concerned about Williams' concentration because “Mike is a pro.”
Williams, who signed a one-year deal worth $10 million in the offseason, could miss out on playing time in a receiver group that includes Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard, who are tied for the NFL lead with five touchdown receptions. is high.
Adams and Lazard have a long history with Rodgers as Packers teammates.
According to The Athletic, Williams' former team, the Chargers, as well as the Steelers and Saints, are among the “many teams that have contacted the Jets about Williams.”
Williams missed all of training camp last year while recovering from reconstructive surgery to repair a torn ACL, causing a slow start to the season.
The 6-foot-4 receiver had appeared in six games entering Sunday night's game against the Steelers with 10 catches for 145 yards and zero touchdowns.
After Monday's loss, Rodgers said Williams ran the wrong route when Bills cornerback Taron Johnson intercepted the QB with 1:52 left.
“It's two vertically.” [routes]. Allen [Lazard] is below the seam and Mike is below the red line. As I looked at Allen, he raised his hand and three men followed him. So I’m throwing no looks all the way to the red line,” Rodgers said. “And when I looked behind me, [Williams] In-breaker is activated. He must be on the red line. It's the little things every time. ”
The next day, he appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, which he appeared on weekly,'' Rodgers said, shifting the blame onto himself.
“We've got to play better, but we can't pitch to end games,” Rodgers said. “The question is about what happened on that play, and I'm not blaming Mike Williams.
“I set a standard of greatness for myself, and when I don't meet it, I get up there and say I've got to play better.”
