The Pittsburgh Steelers finally put an end to the wide receiver saga right as the trade deadline was coming to an end. Pittsburgh sent a fifth-round pick to the New York Jets to land wide receiver Mike Williams. Williams joins the Steelers after signing a one-year, $10 million deal with the Jets. His time with the Jets was a struggle as he didn’t fit in well or build good chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Now, he is excited to be in a better opportunity with the 6-2 Steelers.
It's no secret why the Steelers made a trade for a wide receiver. They needed one and virtually ran out of options. With the wide receiver room not being as productive as they would have liked, Pittsburgh was under pressure to make a move. The addition of Williams gives them a proven target who can contribute immediately, providing relief for the offense and helping to open space up for George Pickens.
Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith spoke to the media on Thursday about the real reason Pittsburgh traded for Williams. Smith emphasized that the Steelers weren't just looking to add another body to the roster, but rather a receiver who could provide a spark and elevate their passing game. He praised Williams’ size, skill set, and ability to stretch the field, noting that his addition was a strategic move to give the offense more options and make their passing attack more dynamic.
"Mike is a big receiver and he has made a lot of 50/50 catches," Smith said. "He will have a big presence in the run game and like I said, we will see where it goes. If you make moves like that in the midseason, then you have a pretty good thing going and so hopefully, he’s a value added."
Smith outlined what made Williams an attractive addition to the Steelers. He expressed excitement that the team is in a position where the trade deadline forced them to make a move, signaling that they are true contenders.
Smith, who is already familiar with Williams, is eager to get him involved and producing in his offense.
"He’s a very productive player in the NFL," Smith said. "I remember watching him coming out in the draft. I was at Tennessee the year we took Corey Davis, both of them went in the top 10. I have been on the other side of some big plays he has made, but we are excited. Anytime you add a good player, we will bring him along the right way. We are just excited he’s here. Obviously, he has a skill set that fits us."
Williams' career hasn't unfolded as many had hoped. Drafted seventh overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, expectations were high, and he appeared on the verge of stardom. However, injuries consistently derailed his progress, keeping him from reaching his full potential. Despite the setbacks, Williams has proven to be a dangerous deep-ball threat when healthy, with the ability to go up and contest jump balls.
Over the course of his career, Williams has played 97 games, recording 321 receptions for 4,972 yards and 31 touchdowns. His time with the Jets had been a struggle, as he was underutilized and eventually pushed out after the team traded for Davante Adams. That’s essentially how the Steelers were able to acquire him, taking advantage of the Jets’ situation.
Steelers' Passing Attack Gets More Dangerous With Mike Williams
With the return of Russell Wilson, the Steelers' passing attack has come to life. In the two games with Wilson as quarterback, the team has scored 63 points. Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III have stepped up to support the offense, but the addition of Williams should help take things to another level.
His presence will relieve pressure on Pickens, as opposing defenses will have to divert attention to Williams. With this addition, the Steelers' offense is looking more dangerous than ever.
