Mike Williams' tenure with the New York Jets has concluded after a brief seven-month period. The Jets have traded the veteran wide receiver to the Pittsburgh Steelers, as reported by Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport further detailed that the Steelers will compensate the Jets with a fifth-round draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft while also taking on the remainder of Williams' contract for the current season. After the conclusion of this season, Williams will enter free agency.
Williams' departure from New York appeared imminent following the Jets' acquisition of Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders on October 15. The Jets secured Adams for a conditional third-round draft pick in 2025, positioning him as a primary starter alongside Garrett Wilson. While Allen Lazard, who had been a reliable target in the red zone, is currently on injured reserve due to a chest injury sustained in Week 7 against the Steelers, it became clear that Williams would be squeezed out of the roster. Reports from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk indicated that the Jets were actively shopping Williams to other teams on the same day they acquired Adams. Although there was speculation that Lazard's injury could postpone a trade for Williams, the Jets ultimately found a favorable offer.
Williams joined the Jets on a one-year deal in March after being released by the Los Angeles Chargers. However, his impact in New York was minimal, as he recorded only 12 receptions for 166 yards and no touchdowns across nine games, of which three were starts. Considering Aaron Rodgers' specific requirements for his receiving corps, it is understandable that Williams struggled to establish a rapport with the veteran quarterback in such a short timeframe. Nonetheless, this trade offers Williams an opportunity to join the Steelers, who may better leverage his skill set. Standing at 6'4", Williams excels at winning contested catches, a valuable asset for a quarterback like Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, who are known to throw accurately under pressure. Despite being 30 years old and recovering from a torn ACL that limited his performance in the previous season, Williams still has the potential to be a productive player.
The Steelers' acquisition of Williams signals a calculated risk in their efforts to enhance their offense. They had been on the lookout for a quality receiver to complement George Pickens for several months. Previous attempts to trade for Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers fell through when Aiyuk declined the proposed deal. It has become evident since the season began why the Steelers sought to make such an assertive move; Pickens stands as the sole pass-catcher with over 300 receiving yards eight games into the season. While the team's run-first approach under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith contributes to these statistics, the reliance on Calvin Austin and Van Jefferson as primary receiving options after Pickens underscores the need for additional offensive firepower.
As the Steelers contend with rivals such as the Baltimore Ravens and other AFC playoff contenders, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, and Buffalo Bills, the urgency for an upgrade in offensive explosiveness before the trade deadline is apparent. While Williams is working to regain his game speed following a severe injury, his potential for making impactful plays exceeds that of current receiving options Austin or Jefferson. Williams' historical proficiency in securing catches will be beneficial in conjunction with either Wilson or Fields, both of whom are poised to capitalize on Williams' strong hands and deep-play capabilities.
