The Pittsburgh Steelers finally added a wide receiver to their roster after months of looking and near misses. As the 2024 NFL trade deadline wound down, they gave the New York Jets a fifth-round selection for Mike Williams. After languishing for half the season with the Jets, Williams said he is looking forward to being a target for quarterback Russell Wilson.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin and Russell Wilson.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers largely ignored Williams in the passing game, despite the team's efforts to woo him during the 2024 offseason. They signed him shortly after the Los Angeles Chargers released him. He was expected to be the number two receiver behind Garrett Wilson, but that wasn't what happened. Instead, they traded for Rodgers' favorite target and former teammate, Davante Adams, which left Williams out. This was on top of a surprisingly efficient start from seventh-year receiver Allen Lazard as well -- rekindling his connection with Rodgers from their Green Bay days, now also with the Jets since the 2023 NFL season.
Recently, Williams shared how excited he is to be in the Steel City, and his new teammates are beginning to speak out about how glad they are to have him. Team captain and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward shared on his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward, how glad he is they have Williams, and the search is finally over.
"I'm excited to bring a guy like Mike to the fold," said Heyward. "We've only had four wide receivers up each game. I think now having a fifth one stabilizes the group. He can take the top off a defense. I think having him, George [Pickens], Van [Jefferson], Calvin [Austin III] - it's going to be a group by committee that's getting the job done. I always love seeing the guys that go from teams that are losing to teams that are winning; it's fun to watch like, 'Man, I was really feeling down, and now I'm feeling up.' Hopefully, we can keep on winning."
Heyward said he has heard only good things about Williams as a teammate. He said he had never heard Williams bash or throw anyone else under the bus.
New York Jets
Mike Williams walks out of the tunnel at Acrisure Stadium before playing the Steelers in 2024.
Heyward's co-host Hayden Walsh brought up the comments Rodgers made on The Pat McAfee Show about his work ethic and how well he fits with the other receivers in Pittsburgh: George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, and Van Jefferson. Heyward agrees that he will be a good fit.
"Looking from an outsider's perspective, he can get down the field, and I think between him and George, they can play off each other," Heyward added. "It allows the middle to be open whether it's Van or it's Cal or it's George; everybody can be interchangeable. He might be getting on a moving bus, but we're going to be there to catch him and bring him and bring him along for the ride. I'm glad we can put this to rest and move on to the actual season, for ball to be played. We don't need to speculate anymore of who we're bringing in, worry about the guys that are here, and lock in."
The Steelers' passing game has improved remarkably with Wilson under center. Having another weapon that can help pull some attention away from Pickens and open the field adds another offensive layer. Williams also provides depth security if any receivers are injured during the season.
Steelers' Cameron Heyward Also Optimistic About Preston Smith
General Manager Omar Khan didn't stop with Williams. He also added linebacker Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers. Heyward said he has always been a big fan of his game and believes he will fit nicely in the linebacker room.
Gary McCullough / AP Photo
The addition keeps the other linebackers, T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, fresh. Watt and Highsmith, in particular, have been taking more snaps than they should because they lost DeMarvin Leal to injury.
Heyward believes Smith can be an impact player in run defense and defending against the passing game. This is Smith's 10th season in the league, and Heyward feels that veteran presence is also helpful. He will learn the playbook quicker and be ready to make an impact even faster.
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