3 former Chargers who won't live up to their new contracts
By Jason Reed
2. Mike Williams, New York Jets
Releasing Mike Williams was the first move the Chargers made to become cap-compliant and after trading Allen, there was some speculation about the team potentially looking to bring Williams back on a friendlier contract.
That ultimately did not happen and Williams did not sign a friendly contract. The New York Jets inked Williams to a one-year, $15 million prove-it deal to be a weapon for Aaron Rodgers. This kind of contract makes sense for both parties as Williams can get paid with a chance to get more long-term value and the Jets get a weapon without long-term risk.
While the logistics of it being a one-year contract certainly make sense, the price at which that contract was signed was too high for Williams. Granted, the Jets had to pay a bit more on a one-year deal for this to happen, but Williams likely won't be worth $15 million in 2024.
Williams turns 30 this season and is coming off a torn ACL, which is a massive red flag for the Jets. There is a world in which he simply does not look the same and regression hits him quickly. There may not be any long-term drawbacks, but this still would result in Williams failing to live up to his deal.
Just compare Williams to other wide receivers who signed one-year deals this offseason. Hollywood Brown signed a one-year deal worth up to $11 million that has a cap hit of just over $8 million. Brown's numbers are not as good as Williams's, but he will probably do much more in that Chiefs offense than Williams does in New York for half the cost.