The Pittsburgh Steelers made headlines with the announcement of their upcoming visit with former Los Angeles Chargers big-play wide receiver, Mike Williams. This revelation, reported on Sunday evening, could potentially address a pressing concern on the Steelers' roster, particularly following the trade of Diontae Johnson. With the team in need of additional support at the wide receiver position, Williams' visit sparks hope for a formidable addition to the lineup.
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Former Los Angeles Chargers WR Mike Williams.
Adam Schefter's appearance on The Pat McAfee Show added further intrigue to the situation, as he provided a thorough analysis and insider insights into Williams' scheduled visits.
Schefter's expertise shed light on the potential ramifications of Williams' meetings with various teams, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of the unfolding developments.
"Well, he's scheduled to visit Pittsburgh later in the week. He's scheduled to be the last visit. Now, I say 'scheduled' because in free agency, you never know how these visits are going to come off. I think the Chargers, now that they have traded Keenan Allen, have an interest in bringing him back, and for all we know, he's leveraging these visits into a better deal with the Chargers."
In his report, Schefter emphasized that the Chargers' decision to part ways with their star wide receiver, Keenan Allen, has paved the way for Williams to potentially rejoin the team. Williams had previously been released by the Chargers after the conclusion of the 2023 season.
"You just don’t ever really know until it’s done, but as it is right now, he’s scheduled to arrive in New Jersey tonight to visit with the Jets tomorrow, to then go to Carolina to visit with the Panthers, and then to visit with the Steelers, while the Chargers have some interest. Where he ends up from that group, we don’t know yet."
Williams possesses a towering presence at 6' 4" and boasts the capability to stretch the field. As a dangerous downfield receiver, he holds the potential to become one of the league's most dominant wideouts when healthy. However, his Achilles heel has been his ability to stay on the field consistently. Despite the significant amount of time missed due to injury, his statistics still leave a semi-impressive mark.
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Steelers could look to Mike Williams to fill Diontae Johnson's shoes in 2024.
In a cruel twist of fate, during Week 3 of the 2023 season against the Minnesota Vikings, Williams faced another setback when he suffered a season-ending ACL tear. Since 2019, he has been sidelined due to injury on seven separate occasions. This track record raises serious concerns among fans of any team considering adding the talented wide receiver to their roster.
Williams has started 62 of the 88 games he's been available for during his seven seasons in the NFL. Over this span, he's recorded 309 receptions for a total of 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns. With an average of 54.6 yards per game since entering the league, Williams has proven to be a consistent performer on the field. Should the Steelers secure his signature, it would add another dimension to their receiving corps, complementing the talents of George Pickens.
Steelers Eager To Get Another Talented Wide Receiver To Go With Their New QB Room
The Steelers have made significant waves during the offseason by acquiring Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, two quarterbacks who have ignited excitement throughout Steeler Nation. However, the trade to send Johnson away has left the Steelers in need of additional talent at the position. While adding Williams could provide a significant boost, his injury history poses a risk.
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Pittsburgh Steelers WR Van Jefferson during a game with the Los Angeles Rams.
Yet, Williams' skill set differs from Johnson's; Williams excels down the field, whereas Johnson's strength lies in precise route running, confusing defenses, and excelling in short-yardage receptions. While the addition of Van Jefferson helps address depth concerns, the Steelers could still benefit from acquiring a player like Tyler Boyd or someone similar to Johnson. Offering a reliable option for first down receptions. It's clear that the Steelers' offseason maneuvers are far from over.
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