The Los Angeles Chargers did indeed bite the bullet and release star wide receiver Mike Williams as NFL free agency officially opened up on Wednesday.
By making the move, Los Angeles saves $20 million against the 2024 NFL salary cap. It needed to get under the figure ahead of the new league year opening. The Williams release coupled with Khalil Mack’s contract restructure did the trick.
As for Williams, the 29-year-old receiver now hits the open market after missing all but three games a season ago with the torn ACL.
A top-seven pick out of Clemson in the 2017 NFL Draft, Williams has two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. He last accomplished that feat back in 2021 with 76 receptions for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns.
- Mike Williams career stats: 309 receptions, 4,806 yards, 31 TD, 60.4% catch rate
Despite last season’s knee injury, Williams promises to draw a nice amount of interest in free agency. That’s especially true now that Calvin Ridley has landed with the Tennessee Titans on a big-money contract.
Related: Updated NFL free agent tracker
Ideal landing spots for Mike Williams in NFL free agency
Here is a look at five receiver-needy teams that make the most sense for the star wide receiver.
- Washington Commanders: We’ve seen new Commanders general manager Adam Peters put in the work early in NFL free agency. That includes adding multiple starters on the defensive side of the ball for new head coach Dan Quinn. But picking up another starter-caliber receiver to go with Terry McLaurin should certainly be in the cards here. It also doesn’t hurt that new Commanders run-game coordinator Anthony Lynn coached Williams in Southern California.
- New England Patriots: The Pats lost out to Calvin Ridley in free agency despite offering him $22 million per season. While they will now reportedly look at the 2024 NFL Draft for help at this all-important position, Williams would make a ton of sense. As of right now, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne are considered New England’s top-two wide receivers. That’s just not going to cut it.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Fresh off losing the aforementioned Ridley in free agency, the Jags are in major need at this position. Sure, they signed Gabriel Davis away from Buffalo. But Trevor Lawrence needs more help. A combination of Davis, Zay Jones and Christian Kirk is not going to scare opposing defenses. That’s for sure.
Related: NFL free agency grades
- Chicago Bears: General manager Ryan Poles and Co. have to find a replacement for Darnell Mooney after he signed with the Atlanta Falcons. That could come with their second first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It could also come in the form of Mike Williams to team up with D.J. Moore as a starter moving forward for likely No. 1 pick Caleb Williams. Right now, Tyler Scott and Velus Jones Jr. are seen as the Bears’ top receivers behind Moore. Ouch!
- New York Jets: We can easily envision the Jets doing Aaron Rodgers a solid and adding another starter-caliber receiver to the mix with stud youngster Garrett Wilson. Williams’ ability to take the top off the defense (15.6 yards per reception in his career) would be a major boon for the Jets. They are also in major need of more pass-catching help for Rodgers. This almost makes too much sense.