Former Chargers WR Mike Williams set to visit Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets
One of the top available free agents, wide receiver Mike Williams is about to have a busy week. According to reports, the former LA Chargers star will visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets as he attempts to make a decision in free agency. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has also reported that the Chargers may attempt to bring their former star back in after trading away Keenan Allen last week. The Jets have Williams’ first visit on Monday.
During the 2022 offseason, Williams signed a major three-year extension with the Chargers worth $60 million. Releasing him last week saved the Chargers $20 million against their cap.
Over seven seasons with the Chargers, Williams amassed 309 receptions for 4,806 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns. His 2023 season was cut short due to a torn ACL, so he’ll be working back from a major injury in 2024.
The 29-year-old has dealt with injuries going back to his time at Clemson, when he fractured a bone in his neck in 2015. He then played in just 10 games during his rookie season and missed four games in 2022.
The former Tiger was a first-round draft pick for the Chargers in the 2017 NFL Draft. They selected him No. 7 overall after he had a 1,361-yard senior season at Clemson. His most productive season of his NFL season so far came in 2021 when he posted 76 catches for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns.
More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency
The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.
In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.