The Pittsburgh Steelers ended their wide receiver saga when they traded a fifth-round pick to the New York Jets for Mike Williams. In his debut with the team, Williams made an immediate impact, catching a 32-yard touchdown pass that proved pivotal in the Steelers’ victory over the Washington Commanders. His ability to stretch the field and create mismatches gave fans a glimpse of the dynamic weapon he could become in Pittsburgh’s offense.
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Steelers' Mike Williams celebrates after scoring a touchdown in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders.
However, Williams was a non-factor in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens, sparking questions about his usage. He barely ran routes during the game, leading many to speculate when the Steelers would fully ramp him up into their scheme. While the trade brought excitement, the lack of consistent opportunities for Williams has left Steeler Nation wanting more. Fans are eager to see him build on his strong debut, but remain unsure when his role will expand.
NFL insider Dan Graziano recently shared insight into Williams’ situation, suggesting the Steelers are taking a cautious approach. Graziano hinted that while the team is committed to getting Williams more involved, they are focused on ensuring he fully grasps the playbook and develops chemistry with quarterback Russell Wilson. As Pittsburgh’s playoff push intensifies, Williams could emerge as a key contributor, but the timeline for his increased involvement remains uncertain.
"The Steelers expect Mike Williams to play a role for them at some point this season, but they're bringing him along slowly and planning to incorporate him into the offense more and more in the coming weeks," Graziano said. "He was only in the game to catch the winning touchdown against Washington two weeks ago because of an injury to Calvin Austin III, so it wasn't a surprise to see him more limited this past week in what was Russell Wilson's roughest game so far as the team's starting quarterback."
Graziano echoed what Steelers fans already knew: Williams wasn’t even supposed to be running the route on his game-winning touchdown against Washington. Still, considering his reputation as a deep-ball threat, perhaps he should have been. His ability to make plays downfield is exactly what Pittsburgh has been missing, making his limited role so far even more perplexing.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Williams prior to Pittsburgh's victory over the Washington Commanders in 2024.
Looking ahead to Thursday night’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Graziano doesn’t anticipate Williams having a significant role.
"On a short week in potentially bad weather against Cleveland on Thursday, I wouldn't expect a ton from Williams, but it's coming."
Despite the cautious start, Graziano reassured fans that Williams’ time is coming. With his skill set and potential to elevate Pittsburgh’s passing attack, the Steelers are simply waiting for the right moment to unleash him fully. When that happens, Williams could become the difference-maker the team envisioned when they traded for him.
The Steelers appear content with bringing him along slowly, focusing on integrating him into their system rather than rushing his involvement. While this approach may frustrate fans eager to see more of him, Graziano’s analysis suggests it’s all part of the plan.
The Steelers have now won all four games that Wilson has started, but their victory against the Ravens highlighted lingering offensive issues. The unit struggled significantly in the red zone, failing to score any touchdowns in what was a disappointing outing against a vulnerable Ravens secondary. While the challenges of an AFC North rivalry undoubtedly played a role, the lack of execution raised concerns.
Steelers Are Eager To Get Mike Williams More Involved
Despite these struggles, Steelers fans remain optimistic about the offense’s potential, particularly with Williams in the fold. His ability to stretch the field and provide a reliable deep threat has fans eager to see him get more opportunities. Williams will get more chances but the timing of when that will be is still up in the air.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Williams and George Pickens celebrate after a huge touchdown in Week 10.
As the team approaches the most challenging stretch of their schedule, the timing feels critical. If Williams can make a meaningful impact, he could play a pivotal role in helping the Steelers solidify their playoff push and emerge as a more complete offensive unit. Fans are hopeful that brighter days are ahead for Pittsburgh’s offense.
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