Jets' Mike Williams says he wants to remain with team, has cleared the air with Aaron Rodgers
New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (18) New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (10) New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) late in the second half of the Denver Broncos at the NY Jets on September 29, 2024. Credit: Lee S. Weissman/Lee S. Weissman
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Just one big semi-functional family.
After missing the last two days of practice because of what the team called “personal reasons,” Mike Williams was a full participant in Friday’s practice.
When he met with reporters for the first time since the Jets acquired Davante Adams, the embattled receiver unequivocally said he is not interested in being traded to another NFL outpost. He also echoed interim coach Jeff Ulbrich’s announcement that he will play Sunday night against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
“I’m where my feet [are] at,” Williams said when asked directly if he wants to be traded. “That’s the main thing for me. I came here for a reason. I’m here, so I’m excited for this weekend. Finish preparation [Saturday] and play Sunday night.”
Neither Williams nor Ulbrich would divulge what the “personal reasons” were that caused him to miss practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
The questions now are exactly how much playing time will he see and what will that entail?
Williams was signed to a one-year, $10 million contract on March 19 to serve as another veteran pass-catcher opposite Garrett Wilson, but his role with the Jets likely will be reduced. None of the triumvirate of Williams, Ulbrich and Todd Downing, the Jets’ passing game coordinator and new play-caller, would divulge with any specificity how he’ll be utilized against Pittsburgh.
Through six games, Williams has only 10 catches for 145 yards. He was limited in training camp because of a left ACL tear suffered on Sept. 24, 2023, when he was with the Chargers, and as a result, he and Aaron Rodgers haven’t had enough time to develop a rhythm.
“We are still building,” Williams said. “Day by day, practice by practice, game by game. Yeah, definitely still building.”
The Jets’ last offensive play in their 23-20 loss to the Bills on Monday night is Exhibit A.
According to Rodgers, Williams ran the wrong route, and as a result, the quarterback’s deep heave was picked off by the Bills’ Taron Johnson at the Buffalo 18-yard line.
During his postgame news conference on Monday night and again during his weekly interview segment Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers said Williams ran “an in-breaker” instead of “down the red line.”
Williams said he and Rodgers subsequently spoke about the play and the quarterback’s criticism, as well as having watched video in order to “make corrections.”
Ulbrich dismissed the notion that the miscommunication and criticism could lead to a rift between the two.
“They’re grown men,” Ulbrich said. “They’re good friends and [have a] good relationship, so we’re good. We’re good.”
Notes & quotes: CB Michael Carter II (back) will miss his third straight game. TE Tyler Conklin (hip), CB D.J. Reed (groin) and LB Chazz Surratt (heel) were listed as questionable.
