Mike Williams returns to Chargers ‘looking to prove himself’ after tough 2024 season with the Jets

Mike Williams has signed with the Los Angeles Chargers after being traded to play in New York and Pittsburgh last year.

Mike Williams returns to Chargers ‘looking to prove himself’ after tough 2024 season with the Jets

Mike Williams (Image via NFL/X)

It has become surprisingly common to see NFL teams parting ways with key role-players for one season just to bring them back again in the subsequent year. It recently happened in the case of CJ Gardner-Johnson and now in the case of Mike Williams. He was cut by the Los Angeles Chargers due to cap constraints, however, he is back home now.

The wide receiver was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017. He spent seven seasons playing for the team before being traded to the New York Jets and then the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fortunately for Mike Williams, he is now returning to the place where he belongs, Los Angeles.

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The Chargers are signing Williams back in hopes of keeping up the talent on their offense. The wide receiver has recorded two, 1000+ yard seasons throughout his career and last season was the most challenging for him because he was traded halfway through the season.

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Williams could not make a significant impact in New York or Pittsburgh. He had under 300 yards and 1 receiving touchdown the whole season. Now that he is a Charger once again, Williams hopes to perform better this season.

I’m just being honest. It was terrible. Probably the worst year I’ve had in the league by far. So, yeah, I’m just putting it in the past. That was the past. Trying to make it feel like it didn’t happen for me. But, yeah, just getting back to what I’m used to doing and having fun, that’s my main thing. This is where it all started and I’m excited to be back.

Mike Williams said

The wideout’s time in New York was short-lived. He was traded shortly after a costly drop last season, which cost the Jets a chance to win against the Buffalo Bills.

Mike Williams hopes to continue playing as a Charger for the rest of his career

One week after Robert Saleh was fired as the Jets’ HC, the team faced Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. In that game, Aaron Rodgers and Co. were down in the final moments of the game. A 30-yard pass to Mike Williams in the last minute could have turned the tide and benefitted the Jets, however, the wideout failed to catch the ball as he wound up slipping.

Mike Williams
Mike Williams had a forgetful time with the Jets (Image via NFL)

This frustrated the fans, but it enraged Aaron Rodgers, who went on to call him out at the post-game press conference. This led to tensions flaring between the two. Soon after, the wideout found himself traded to the Steelers. Williams caught his first touchdown of the season when it counted the most. He caught a game-winning touchdown pass in his first game playing as a Steeler.

The road has been rocky for Williams, but he is now glad to be back where he belongs.

Never wanted to leave, on my side, but it’s the business part of football, and things happen. But now I’m back, and happy to be back.

an ecstatic Mike Williams said in his first press conference back as reported by NBC Sports

Despite moving from one team to another, the wideout played in 18 games last season. That is impressive, irrespective of his performance. The Chargers are making key changes to their roster. The team took a beating in the playoffs as they lost 32-12 to the Houston Texans. They have begun to make key changes, starting with releasing star Joey Bosa.

There is a lot to be excited about for fans of the team because Justin Herbert’s chemistry with Ladd McConkey was beautiful to watch. Now, Williams, who has a drop rate of 0 when catching passes of 25+ yards throughout his career, will be yet another valuable addition to the offense.

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