LANDOVER, Md. — With the Pittsburgh Steelers trailing 27-21 late in the fourth quarter to the Washington Commanders, Russell Wilson delivered one of his vintage moon balls to newly acquired wide receiver Mike Williams for a 32-yard game-winning touchdown. It was Williams only catch of the game, but it came at the most important time.
Williams is merchant when it comes to 50/50 balls. That was one of two reasons why the Steelers traded a fifth-round pick to the New York Jets prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline.
“I kinda had an idea. It wasn’t aligned for me to be over there, (Russell Wilson) told me to go over there so I kinda had an idea that the ball was going to be up so I ran the route and just checked the air and caught the ball,” Williams said after the game.
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. Wilson had faith that Williams was going to come down with the catch if he gave him an opportunity.
“It was a big-time catch by Mike. I just tried to give him a chance,” Wilson said. “Let him do his thing. The guy has three-plus 1,000-yard seasons over his career. A guy who’s made plays. A guy who’s facing adversity. You love it when guys face adversity and come through at the other end of it.”
Williams’ reps were limited since he doesn’t know the playbook in depth yet, but the Steelers knew he’d be ready in certain situations.
“He’s a veteran guy. He’s a quick study,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said after the game. “We didn’t throw everything at him but we threw enough, particularly, the one-dimensional ball in passing circumstances. We didn’t want him over there standing with us at the weightiest of moments.”
Williams was inserted into the lineup late in the game because it was a third-and-9 situation.
“Yeah, big man. One-on-one ball. Yes sir,” Tomlin said.
Tomlin was also impressed with Wilson’s perfect deep ball, which has been a staple of his throughout his 13-year career.
“I’ve seen it a few times on highlight shows. It’s a little bit better in person. Believe it,” Tomlin said.
Steelers offensive coordiantor Arthur Smith said during the week that the Steelers had to get Williams up to speed if they were going to play him.
“Really it’s a credit to Mike. Studying the film,” Wilson said. “Understanding all the extra time we put in this week. Just having confidence in the people around you. That’s what makes football so great.”
Steelers running back Najee Harris was also stunned how Williams even knew the play on the game-winner.
“I mean, I never knew how that worked, but for a guy to come onto the team and make one catch for one touchdown. That’s probably the biggest play. I’m surprised how the hell he even knew the play,” Harris said. “But for a guy to come in here, a guy like Mike Williams who has a record of 1,000 yard seasons. His resume, you know, he’s a baller. For him to come in there and make probably the biggest play of the game and help us win. That just shows us what type of player he is. He’s a playmaker. He’s a baller. He’s been doing that for all of his career. Was it surprising? No. But was it good to see? Yeah. Big Play Mike.”
