The Los Angeles Chargers needed to bring in multiple new pass catchers for Justin Herbert after the mess that happened at the end of last season, and it seems like Joe Hortiz is willing to reverse a decision he made last year and bring back an old fan favorite in Mike Williams to do so.
Williams was lured away from Los Angeles thanks to a big contract with Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets, but that experiment crashed and burned. With his options starting to dwindle, the Chargers decided that he has enough gas left for one more run in powder blue.
Williams signed a one-year contract worth up to $6 million with the Chargers. While his Pro Bowl days may be over, Williams can still be a physical receiver who uses his size to make plays down the field. Herbert will likely welcome him back with open arms.
Chargers bring Mike Williams back with one-year contract
Williams caught just 21 passes for 298 yards and one touchdown between the Jets and Steelers last season. His stock is as low as it could possibly be, and he needed to return to his familiar surroundings to have Justin Herbert put him back on the right track.
While Williams does deserve some blame for his poor showing with New York and Pittsburgh, it seems curious the Jets would invest that amount of money in him and target him just 21 times throughout the first half of the season. 2024 could be the scene for a make-or-break season for Williams.
Ladd McConkey is clearly the top dog, leaving Williams to push flailing first-round pick Quentin Johnson for snaps. The Chargers are likely not done adding to this group, as they will likely use multiple picks in the 2025 NFL Draft on skill position players for Herbert to throw too.
Williams may be a bit of a one-trick pony at this stage of his career, but he is so effective at that one trait that he could be worth a solid diet of targets. Now fully healthy after injuries forced him to get off to a slow start last season, Williams could be in for a serious comeback season.