Mike Williams traded from the Jets to the Pittsburgh Steelers, source confirms
Wide receiver Mike Williams was traded from the Jets to the Steelers on Tuesday. Credit: Corey Sipkin
The Jets made another trade involving a receiver.
Mike Williams is heading to Pittsburgh for a fifth-round pick, a league source confirmed. Williams became expendable after the Jets acquired Davante Adams last month.
Williams being traded to the Steelers had been talked about for a couple of weeks. The Jets and Steelers made the deal a couple hours before the 4 p.m. NFL trade deadline on Tuesday.
There was some thought that the Jets might hold on to Williams after Allen Lazard suffered a chest injury that landed him on injured reserve. This now gives more opportunity to Xavier Gipson and perhaps rookie Malachi Corley.
The Jets signed Williams to a one-year, $10 million contract in the offseason. Returning from a torn ACL, Williams had just 12 catches for 166 yards and never really clicked with Aaron Rodgers.
After Rodgers threw an interception on a pass intended for Williams on a potential winning drive against the Bills, Rodgers put the blame on Williams for running the wrong route.
Williams did not participate in the Jets’ next two practices for what was called “personal reasons.” Williams would not reveal the reasons he did not participate.
“Mike’s a good guy,” Rodgers said on the "Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday. “Sometimes a change of scenery is great for certain guys. It was great for me, kind of get re-enthused. We kind of knew with Davante coming in there would be less targets for everybody. … If this gives Mike more opportunities that’s awesome. I wish Mike well.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
