Mike Williams’ time with the Jets didn’t quite go as planned.
The veteran wide receiver signed with the team on a one-year deal this offseason with hopes of adding a big-time playmaker for quarterback Aaron Rodgers opposite Garrett Wilson, but the production unfortunately never came.
After missing time and being eased into the offense coming off his torn ACL suffered last season, Williams couldn’t quite get on the same page as Rodgers, as he hauled in just 12 receptions and failed to reach the end zone across six games.
It became more and more clear that his time in the Big Apple would be coming to a quick end after the Jets went out and finally acquired star receiver Davante Adams in a blockbuster deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The 30-year-old’s name had been floated in trade rumors for weeks, and finally just hours before Tuesday’s deadline, GM Joe Douglas reached an agreement to send him to the Steelers for a fifth-round pick.
“Mike’s a great teammate,” Douglas said while discussing the trade Wednesday. “He was battling back from a severe ACL injury and he did everything he could. Not being part of OTAs and missing most of camp, we were just never able to get that synced up. This is a great opportunity for him to get a fresh start.”
With Williams not having much of a role and a lack of chemistry to this point, a change of scenery was likely the best outcome for both sides, but Williams’ departure does leave Gang Green a little shorthanded in their receiver room for the time being.
Of course, they still have the dynamic duo of Adams and Garrett Wilson leading the way, but with Allen Lazard remaining on injured reserve due to a chest injury it’ll be up to their young talent such as Xavier Gipson and Malachi Corley to step up.
While that’s a concern for some, Douglas still feels good about the team’s depth.
“It’s not a move we would have made had we not felt good about the guys we have,” he said. “Us acquiring a player like Davante gives us the flexibility where if a team wants to inquire about Mike we can do that. We feel good about having two elite receivers, Allen should be coming back soon, and it’s a good opportunity for the young guys like Xav and Corley to step up. We’re really happy with the depth we have in that room.”
Corley and Gipson have a combined five receptions to this point in the season, but they are both now just one injury away from taking on a much larger role in this offense.
"I'm happy about it," Corley said. "Hopefully I can see an increased amount of snaps. We have a good group and we're starting to get on a role, so whatever I can do to help us win wether it be run blocks or doing what I can with yards after catch, I'm just excited to help us win."