Former Steelers WR Set to Retire From NFL: Report

Veteran wide receiver Mike Williams was set to return to the Los Angeles Chargers after finishing the 2024 campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But Williams now doesn’t appear set to play for any team this season.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that Williams has told the Chargers that he plans to retire.

Williams posted nine catches for 132 yards and a touchdown in nine games for the Steelers last season. He also had one 37-yard catch during the playoffs for Pittsburgh.

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While Williams didn’t make a major impact for the Steelers, who acquired the receiver at the NFL trade deadline last year, he had one shining moment.

His touchdown was a 32-yard reception on third-and-long late in the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders during Week 10. The Steelers held on to win that game, which was the receiver’s debut with Pittsburgh, 28-27.

Williams will end his NFL career with 330 catches for 5,104 receiving yards. He averaged 15.5 yards per catch over eight seasons.

In seven years with the Chargers, Williams reached 1,000 receiving yards twice. In 2019, Williams led the league with 20.4 yards per reception.

He registered a career-best 76 catches and 1,146 receiving yards in 2021. Williams also had 32 touchdowns over 106 games during his career.

WR Mike Williams Set to Retire: Report

After one season away from the Chargers, Los Angeles brought back Williams on a one-year, $3 million deal. But Williams will forego playing in 2025 and instead retire.

He played 88 of his 106 NFL games with the Chargers. Williams started 62 contests for the franchise, posting 309 catches, 4,806 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns.

Williams had 19 catches, 249 receiving yards and one score during his final season with the Chargers in 2023.

The Steelers showed interest in Williams during the 2024 offseason, but he signed a contract with the New York Jets. He posted 12 receptions and 166 receiving yards during nine games with Jets. New York traded Williams to the Steelers for a 2025 fifth-round pick.

Williams’ final NFL reception will be the 37-yard grab he made against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC wild card matchup. His last regular season catch was a 25-yard grab versus the Cincinnati Bengals.

Steelers WR Depth Entering 2025

Williams wasn’t the only receiver change for the Steelers this offseason. Pittsburgh also allowed veteran Van Jefferson to leave in free agency and traded George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys.

Before giving up Pickens, the Steelers acquired DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. They also signed veteran Robert Woods to replace Jefferson.

Calvin Austin III will return as a potential outside and slot contributor. Austin could provide the deep threat that Williams did at times at the end of last season.

The Steelers also have high hopes for 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson. He played just one game as a rookie because of injuries.

Veterans Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek will be back as well although Skowronek is a bigger contributor on special teams than offense.

The Steelers also have Brandon Johnson, Lance McCutcheon, Roc Taylor, Ke’Shawn Williams and Montana Lemonious-Craig on the offseason roster at wide receiver.

Johnson and McCutcheon each spent part of the 2024 campaign with the Steelers practice squad. Taylor, Williams and Lemonious-Craig are undrafted rookie free agents.