Wide receiver Mike Williams has returned to the Los Angeles Chargers after spending a year away from the team. He’s rejoining the franchise that originally drafted him—before eventually releasing him—following what he admits was a “terrible” season elsewhere.
“I’m just being real. It was awful,” Williams said, via ProFootballTalk. “Definitely the worst year I’ve had in the league, by far. So now, I’m leaving that in the past. That’s behind me. I’m trying to act like it never even happened. My focus is on getting back to what I do best and having fun. This is where it all began for me, and I’m excited to be here again.”
The Chargers selected Williams, the 6-foot-4 receiver from Clemson, with the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Over seven seasons with the team, he delivered 309 receptions, 4,806 receiving yards, and 31 touchdowns. But injuries became an issue late in his three-year, $60 million deal, leading to his release.
His time away from Los Angeles didn’t go well.
Williams first joined the New York Jets in 2024, hoping to catch passes from Aaron Rodgers. However, things didn’t go as planned—he managed just 12 receptions on 21 targets across nine games and even found himself publicly criticized by the notoriously blunt quarterback. That stint was short-lived, as he was later traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where his struggles continued. In another nine games there, Williams was targeted only 13 times, hauling in nine catches.
Now, he’s back with the Chargers and quarterback Justin Herbert, the duo with whom he’s enjoyed the most success.
His return comes after a challenging year for Herbert as well. Despite attempting more passes than in any previous season, Herbert recorded his second-lowest passing yardage since entering the league. The year ended on an even lower note, with the Chargers getting blown out by the Houston Texans in the playoffs.
If Williams can stay healthy and regain his earlier form, his presence could be a much-needed boost for Herbert and the Chargers moving forward.
