NFL Trade Rumors: 3 Teams "Reaching Out" for New York Jets Wide Receiver Mike Williams

The New York Jets suddenly find themselves with too many pass catchers, and teams are already sniffing around for a deal. According to the Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New Orleans Saints have already contacted the Jets regarding wide receiver Mike Williams.

The Chargers, Steelers and Saints are among a number of teams reaching out to the Jets about WR Mike Williams, per sources. pic.twitter.com/2CVLwH8375
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 17, 2024

The Jets signed Williams to a one-year, $10 million deal in March, but their recent acquisition of former Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro Davante Adams has rendered him expendable. Williams' 17 targets were already fifth on the team even prior to Adams' arrival.

The Chargers have an existing relationship with Williams. They drafted him seventh overall in 2017, and he totalled 4806 receiving yards and 31 receiving touchdowns over 88 appearances from 2017 to 2023. They cleaned house organizationally this past summer, hiring a new head coach in John Harbaugh and a new general manager in Joe Hortiz, so Williams' roots there aren't as deep as they used to be. Still, the Chargers have an obvious need at wide receiver: Their leading receiver, rookie Lad McConkey, is averaging a middling 43.8 receiving yards per game and 6.8 yards per target.

Similarly, the Saints and Steelers both could use some added depth to their receiving corps. The Steelers are 30th in passing yards, and the Saints offense has tailed off considerably in recent weeks, averaging a mere 277 yards per game over four straight losses.

At this point, Williams would be a low-cost investment with modest upside. His $1.255 million salary this season means he'll fit snugly under most teams' caps, and the Jets' roster situation means he could likely be had for a late-round pick. His big body and effectiveness in jump-ball situations should be useful to just about any offense, but any team that intends to make him a focal point is likely asking too much of him.