Tyrell Williams stays in division, becomes a teammate of Antonio Brown
By Travis Wakeman
Tyrell Williams‘ days as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers are history, but that should come as no surprise.
As perhaps the top under-the-radar target at wide receiver in this year’s class of free agents, Williams was looking for a big payday. He will apparently get that from a division rival, the Oakland Raiders.
Former Chargers’ WR Tyrell Williams intends to sign with the Oakland Raiders, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
Williams more than proved his worth to the Chargers after going undrafted out of Western Oregon in 2015. From his first touchdown reception — an 80-yard bomb against the Denver Broncos, to the moment he went up over three Cleveland Browns to haul in a touchdown pass last season, he proved to be a trusted deep threat for Philip Rivers.
He now goes to the Oakland Raiders, a team that is making waves this offseason and may not be the butt of so many jokes going forward. Having already traded for Antonio Brown, the Raiders are already significantly better than when last season ended.
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Williams was never going to stay in Los Angeles. Though terms of his new deal have yet to be reported, the numbers are going to be far north of anything Tom Telesco and the team was willing to pay him.
The Chargers will now be in the market for a new No. 3 wide receiver behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Is that receiver already on the team? Does Travis Benjamin get his old role back? Could an unknown such as Artavis Scott or Dylan Cantrell emerge?
Wide receivers not yet spoken for on the free-agent market include Golden Tate, Randal Cobb, and former Chargers wide receiver Dontrelle Inman.
Will the team sign a guy or wait for the draft?
Williams now goes from great Chargers success story to a guy the team will see twice per year. The Chargers’ secondary will be tested against Oakland next season.