It was the NFL’s worst-kept secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers desperately needed a wide receiver. They struck out on Brandon Aiyuk after weeks of courtship in the offseason.
And even with Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson having more success under Russell Wilson, the Steelers needed new blood and traded the New York Jets a fifth-round pick for veteran Mike Williams.
Here are five quick facts about the Steelers new wide receiver:
Tore ACL in 2023
Mike Williams’ final season with the L.A. Chargers was cut short after he tore his ACL in the third game of 2023.
Second chance with Steelers
After the Chargers released him in a cost-cutting measure this spring, Williams had a visit scheduled with the Steelers after a stop in New York. Instead of following through on that visit, Williams signed with the Jets.
Two big seasons with Chargers
Williams has a 15.5 yards per reception average on his 309 career catches, including an NFL-best 20.4 yards per catch with the Chargers in 2019. He’s enjoyed two 1,000-yard seasons, most recently in 2021, when he also had a career-high 76 receptions.
Williams at Clemson
As a true freshman at Clemson, Wiliams played in all 13 games (three starts) and finished with 20 receptions for 316 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2015, in the first game of his sophomore season, Williams fractured a neck bone after colliding with the goal post as he was catching a touchdown pass from quarterback Deshaun Watson on the first offensive series. He sat out the rest of the season.
Williams’ Steelers number
Williams will wear No. 18 for the Steelers, the same as he wore with the Jets.
