After losing yet another game in which Aaron Rodgers publicly blamed his own wide receiver after the loss, the New York Jets have made another panic move by trading for star wide receiver Davante Adams. The LA Chargers could benefit from this trade not only because Adams is leaving the division, but also because of a potential door it opens.
Now that Adams is officially in New York, former Chargers wideout Mike Williams (who was the wide receiver Rodgers blamed on Monday night) has emerged as a potential trade chip. Williams is not going to get much of a target share, especially after Monday night, so the Jets would be wise to recoup any assets possible for the former Pro Bowler.
And that is where the Chargers could step right in. Los Angeles may have waived Williams to make salary-cap space in the spring but now it makes all the sense in the world to bring back one of Justin Herbert's favorite targets.
Trading for Mike Williams makes perfect sense for the Chargers after NY Jets' Davante Adams trade
The Chargers undoubtedly need wide receiver help and who better to add than someone who Herbert has already built a rapport with and is comfortable throwing the ball to? There are certainly other options, but Williams would check multiple boxes for the Bolts.
Williams would give the Chargers someone who thrives in making contested catches, which is not something the team is particularly strong at right now. More importantly, Williams would give the Chargers a true X receiver in the offense, which is something the team lacks with DJ Chark Jr. on the IR.
The Chargers have one of the worst groups of passing weapons in the sport and while Williams wouldn't magically give the Bolts a top-tier passing corps, he would raise the floor and give Herbert a reliable outlet he could turn to in big spots.
More importantly, it would cost next to nothing for the Chargers. With his lack of production thus far and considering the fact he is on a one-year deal, the absolute most the Jets would get for Williams is a sixth-round pick. That is more than doable for the Chargers.
Additionally, the Chargers have the salary-cap space now to bring Williams in under his current situation. Williams signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Jets with a $5 million base salary for the 2024 season. The Chargers would only be on the hook for the remaining $5 million base salary, which is more than affordable given the Chargers' current cap situation.
And best of all, Williams would be coming back to a team he is comfortable with where he knows he won't be aired out by his star quarterback after a loss.