The Chargers’ 2025 plans have suddenly shifted. Mike Williams was originally expected to be the team’s WR2, but now someone else will need to step up and fill that role.

Out of nowhere, Williams announced that he will retire and not play this upcoming season. In response, Justin Herbert shared a heartfelt message after losing one of his most trusted weapons.

Justin Herbert gets real about Mike Williams’ unexpected retirement

Mike Williams has been a crucial asset for Justin Herbert since the quarterback’s arrival in 2020. Although the wide receiver left the Chargers in 2024, he returned earlier this year with plans to finish his career in Los Angeles.

After spending the 2024 season with both the Jets and the Steelers, Williams agreed to rejoin the Chargers in March 2025. However, he ultimately decided to walk away from the game and retire.

The news came as a big blow to the Chargers. The team brought Williams back to add depth and leadership to the receiver room, but now Herbert will have to move forward without one of his most reliable targets.

On Thursday, Mike Williams officially announced his retirement. Shortly after, Justin Herbert issued a touching message to one of the top wide receivers he’s played with in his career.

“I want what’s best for Mike. He’s always been there for us, and we’re going to be there for him,” Herbert said in his Thursday press conference. “It’s obviously a tough situation, and I’ve got so much respect for him as a teammate, as a friend, as a receiver, as a player, and the man that he is.

“We’re going to be there for him however we can help. Football, at the end of the day, is a game and there’s more to life than just football. I’m just hoping for the best for him.”

Who are the wide receivers for the Chargers?

Mike Williams’ retirement will certainly impact the Chargers, but it’s not the end of the road for their offense. Fortunately, the team addressed the position well during the offseason.

As it stands, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre Harris are expected to lead the Chargers’ receiving corps. It’s a solid group that should give Justin Herbert the tools he needs to keep the offense competitive in 2025.

What a day it’s been in the NFL, huh? First, Mike Williams announces his retirement. Now, T.J. Watt signs an extension with the Steelers… but what about the Los Angeles Chargers, though? They just lost one of their best receivers and they have a holdout on another weapon, right? Not exactly, after weeks, Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert finally got good updates.

The Chargers finally reached an agreement with second-round pick Tre Harris, Ian Rapoport from NFL Network reports. Terms haven’t been fully disclosed but he joins Broncos second-round pick, running back R.J. Harvey in signing new deals. Now, a flurry of second-round picks signing their deals will follow.

Harris was holding out as he wanted a guaranteed contract, something that was unusual for second round picks. However, Jayden Higgins and Carson Schwesinger were signed to fully guaranteed contracts. Hence, causing a big domino effect on all other second rounders.

Harris will now be even more prominent to Herbert

With Williams retiring, Harris needs to step up massively if the Chargers want to succeed on their passing game. Herbert‘s first option is very reliable in Ladd McConkey. Second on the pecking order is now Harris.

Spending five years at the collegiate level, Harris has a wealth of experience. He comes from Ole Miss, a program that has produced the likes of D.K. Metcalf and A.J. Brown. While he was never a dominant receiver in college, he did manage one season with 1,000+ yards and 7 touchdowns. Harris has still lots of upside, especially in the intermediate to deep level.

Are the Chargers set for a big season?

When you have Jim Harbaugh as your coach and Justin Herbert as your quarterback, you bet the expectations are high. However, with Williams out and Najee Harris getting placed on the active/ non-football injury (NFI), there are roadblocks to get over.

However, the Chargers can do something they just did. Williams was a former Charger who left for a year before the team re-signing him. As it turns out, Keenan Allen fits that same mold, but he was always a better receiver than Williams and also knows Herbert pretty well.

Plus, while his last season wasn’t incredible, he still managed to produce 70 catches for 744 yards and 7 touchdowns on a subpar offense like the Bears. Now a free agent, he could be the answer to their problems.

The Los Angeles Chargers are not the luckiest team in the NFL. Or at least that’s been the case in the last few weeks. Not only that, it seems all their problems are coming on the offensive side of the ball. Now, another thing is coming to stun Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert as they prepare for the new season.

While rookie Tre Harris is holding out amid all the second-round rookie contracts controversy, now it’s the other receiver, Mike Williams who will not be available. Williams has been listed in the physically unable to perform list. If your name is in the PUP list, you will miss at least the first four weeks of the season.

This adds to the recent report of running back Najee Harris suffering an eye injury during a 4th of July event that had fireworks gone wrong. Harris, thankfully, is expected to be okay for the season. However, it’s just a string of bad news for the Chargers.

Mike Williams has lots of talent, but availability is an issue

Unfortunately for Williams, this has been the story of his career. Always a great receiver when available, but health has been his biggest roadblock. He has always dealt with injuries. Still, Jim Harbaugh knows that he can be deadly on deep routes once he is cleared to play.

Availability is the best ability, but at 31 years old, it’s more likely that Williams won’t ever fully get his health right. As with age, injuries are more likely to happen, statistically speaking. Williams is a known face in the Chargers facility, as he played his first seven years in the NFL there. Then, he roamed last season playing for the Jets and then for the Steelers. Despite playing 18 games, he had one of his worst statistical seasons.

Chargers should have a top-tier receiving corp, but only one is available

If you look at the depth chart and see sophomore baller Ladd McConkey, known-face, great contested catcher Mike Williams, and rookie standout Tre Harris, you must think the Chargers have an elite receiving corp. However, with Williams’ injury and Harris’ holdout, the only available is Ladd McConkey.

McConkey was a brilliant receiver in his rookie season. He caught 82 passes for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns. Also, his prolific route-running is something that Justin Herbert must appreciate.

The relationship between Williams and Rodgers was strained during the receiver’s tenure with the Jets this season. Following the loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 6, the 40-year-old quarterback blamed his teammate for running the wrong route on a game-winning interception. “Williams was supposed to be on the ‘red line’ of the practice field, five yards off the sideline,” Rodgers had criticized.

Williams did not forget that phrase and after changing the air sent a mocking phrase for his former teammate. One thing that was certain was that receiving disapproval from Rodgers marked the wide receiver’s future with the Jets, who decided to trade him as soon as possible before the arrival of Davante Adams.

Williams’ taunt to Rodgers

In an Instagram post celebrating his first game with the Steelers, Williams added three hashtags. The first two read #WholeLotta and #WeBack, being the ones the wide receiver always uses. However, the message of controversy was the third hashtag, which said #RedLine, referring to Rodgers’ comment. It was an indirect but easily understandable joke.

Williams’ performance in his debut with the Steelers

Williams completed a great game in his first outing on the field with his new team. The wide receiver scored a touchdown on a 32-yard reception against the Commanders, coming off the bench to put up valuable points in a very even game that ended 28-27 in favor of the Steelers.

Rodgers’ message to Williams after his move to Steelers

The New York Jets quarterback said goodbye last week to his former teammate, who, a few days later, taunted him via an Instagram post. “I wish Mike (Williams) the best. He’s a good guy; sometimes a change of scenery is great for certain players,” Rodgers said in reaction to the receiver’s arrival with the Steelers.

In the week leading up to the highly anticipated trade deadline, Pittsburgh made a late move to secure talented WR Mike Williams from none other than the New York Jets. His debut couldn’t have been better, as he found the end zone for the Steelers.

Regarding this spectacular play, it was none other than Russell Wilson himself who, after the game, spoke with the media to share his thoughts on the touchdown scored by Williams: “It was a big-time catch by Mike,” Wilson said, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.

“I just try to give him a chance and let him do his thing. As a guy that’s had [two] thousand-yard seasons in his career, a guy who’s made plays, a guy who’s faced some adversity. You love it when guys face adversity and they come through on the other end of it,” the former Seahawks and Broncos QB added.

“It’s a credit to Mike, just studying the film and understanding all the extra time that we put in this week, just having confidence in the people around you,” Wilson also said.

Promising debut for Williams with the Steelers

With just a handful of practices under his belt since joining the Steelers ahead of the NFL trade deadline, WR Mike Williams has quickly made an impact. Head coach Mike Tomlin, one of the highest-paid and most successful in the league, had requested the acquisition of the former Jets player, and his arrival is already starting to pay off.

After the game, the player was asked if he had practiced that route, which led to his touchdown, during his short time with the team. Williams‘ response was clear and decisive.

“None. I didn’t run it one time,” he said, per Steelers beat reporter Mike DeFabo on X, formerly Twitter.

Pittsburgh Steelers upcoming matches

• vs Baltimore Ravens, November 17th
• vs Cleveland Browns, November 21st
• vs Cincinnati Bengals, December 1st
• vs Cleveland Browns, December 8th
• vs Philadelphia Eagles, December 15th

Williams, who has recorded 166 receiving yards so far in 2024, joins a Steelers squad currently sitting atop the AFC North standings. Despite his recent contributions to the Jets, New York opted not to retain him, allowing Williams to take on a new role in Pittsburgh.

Rodgers spoke about the trade on The Pat McAfee Show, sharing his perspective on Williams both as a player and a person in the locker room: “Mike’s a quiet guy who just goes about his business. He had a tough injury last year but worked his *** off to make a comeback. He wasn’t around for much of training camp, but he’s been progressing.”

Rodgers continued, “During the season, I really felt his speed coming back. He’s more comfortable with it now, and that’s a tough injury—I know from experience. The mental aspect is what takes the most time.” Williams, now with the Steelers, has a promising opportunity to revitalize his career.

Rodgers on Williams’ move to the Steelers

While Williams’ departure is a significant loss for the Jets, Rodgers believes his former teammate will thrive with Pittsburgh: “Mike’s a good guy, a strong leader. Sometimes, a change of scenery is great for certain players. I mean, it was great for me—I’ve had fun here.”

Rodgers also commented on the Jets’ future without Williams, and Adams in the lineup: “With Davante around, we all knew targets would be fewer for everyone else—he’s a go-to option. But it gave Mike more opportunities, and I wish him well.”

Williams’ performance with the Jets

Williams leaves New York after one season, during which he made a solid impact prior to Adams joining the roster. Though he didn’t score a touchdown, he proved reliable in clutch situations.

In nine games (three as a starter), Williams recorded 12 receptions on 21 targets, including nine first downs, and totaled 169 receiving yards. With those stats, he had a 52.4 successful percentage.

What’s next for Williams with the Steelers?

Williams will have his first opportunity to suit up for Pittsburgh in their Week 10 matchup in the NFL against the Washington Commanders, the NFC East leaders. After that, he will have to get ready to play against two difficult squads.

Steelers November Schedule:

• vs. Commanders – Week 10 – November 10
• vs. Ravens – Week 11 – November 17
• vs. Browns – Week 12 – November 21

Against all odds, the Chargers started the 2023 season with two defeats. For this reason, it was pivotal for them to get a victory in Week 3, but the task was not easy at all for them.

Los Angeles flew to Minnesota to face the Vikings. The home team was also looking for its first win of the year, but the Chargers were able to get a huge victory on the road and defeat Kirk Cousins’ squad.

Chargers’ wide receiver to miss the rest of the 2023 NFL season

Week 3 of the 2023 season left a bittersweet taste for the Chargers. They secured an incredible win against the Vikings on the road but lost a crucial player at the end of the game.

During the last quarter of Sunday’s game, Mike Williams had to leave early due to a knee injury. NFL Media confirmed on Monday, through an MRI, that the wide receiver suffered a torn ACL and will be out for the rest of the season.

Williams had been the second-best wide receiver on the team this year, following Keenan Allen. The former 7th overall pick has recorded 19 receptions for 249 yards and one touchdown, and these statistics will remain unchanged for the rest of the campaign.

Who will be Mike Williams’ replacement?

The Los Angeles Chargers will probably use Quentin Johnston as WR2, who was drafter with the 21st overall pick this year.

There are a handful of teams that have the quarterback position settled. The Los Angeles Chargers are one of them because they have Justin Herbert. However, head coach Brandon Staley is in the hot seat considering he hasn’t been able to maximize Herbert’s talent.

The Chargers made the playoffs as a wild card team, but they did so securing a spot with one game to go. No matter what happened in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos, their seeding wasn’t going to change.

Staley decided to play the starters in that game despite there was nothing to play for. The rush of criticism towards the head coach was aimed at his decision mainly since Mike Williams got injured. His absence in the postseason is what he finally addressed.

Mike Williams gets real on missing the postseason

The Jacksonville Jaguars were the opponent in the wild card round. A 27-0 lead was a comforting score to think that Los Angeles didn’t make any mistake the previous week. However, the Jaguars came back to win 31-30.

Williams has been injury-prone his whole career, so a conservative approach is likely needed. The wide receiver picked up a back issue against the Broncos and wasn’t able to face Jacksonville, but he doesn’t hold a grudge over that decision.

“The coach wanted us to play, so that’s what we had to do. That’s what we get paid to do, play football. I was with whatever decision he made. I understood why he wanted us to play. We had a lot of momentum going into that game. He wanted to keep the momentum going. Coach Staley is our leader. We believe in him. We can go with whatever he wants us to do”, Williams said according to Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times.