Aaron Rodgers Reacts to Steelers Landing Mike Williams
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers had nothing but good things to say about his former teammate Mike Williams when reacting to the trade in real time on the Pat McAfee Show Tuesday. The Pittsburgh Steelers sent a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to the Jets in exchange for Williams.
“Mike’s a good guy. He’ll be good in that locker room. They’ve got a lot of veteran leadership,” Rodgers said. “He’s had a nice career. Sometimes, a change of scenery is great for certain guys. … If this gives Mike more opportunities, that’s awesome. And we wish Mike well.
Aaron Rodgers reacts in real time to the Mike Williams trade: pic.twitter.com/h6fBQXFrwA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2024
Williams, 30, is a 6-foot-4, 218-pound receiver that will immediate provide size and experience to the group of receivers playing alongside George Pickens. On contested targets since 2018, Williams has the third-highest receiving grade (94.1), ranks second in receptions (91) and second in receiving yards (1,495), according to Pro Football Focus.
In 2021 with the Los Angeles Chargers, Williams caught 76 passes for 1,146 yards (15.1 average) and nine touchdowns. His production has declined in the last two years due to injuries, however.
“Mike had a rough injury last year — that ACL,” Rodgers said. “It’s tough to come back from. He worked his (backside) off all offseason, wasn’t around for a lot of training camp, he was working on the side. But I felt like he was getting better throughout the early part of the season. It felt like his speed was getting better, and he was feeling more comfortable with it. That’s a tough injury. I had that injury. It’s the mental part that takes the longest.”
Williams never developed a solid rapport with Rodgers, recording only 12 receptions for 166 yards and no touchdowns in seven games. He also got publicly called out by Rodgers for running the wrong route on the play that became the game-sealing interception in a loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Williams was put on the trade block after the Jets landed wide receiver Davante Adams in a blockbuster trade on Oct. 15. The Steelers were immediately interested in Williams, but those talks were put on hold around the Week 7 game between the teams at Acrisure Stadium. Eventually, Steelers general manager Omar Khan was able to come through with a deal before Tuesday’s 4 p.m deadline to land the veteran playmaker.
