A new wide receiver trade target has emerged for the Pittsburgh Steelers after missing out on Las Vegas Raiders star Davante Adams on Tuesday, and it stems directly from the trade that sent Adams from the Raiders to the New York Jets. The Jets are now looking to trade veteran wide receiver Mike Williams, according to a report by Jordan Schultz of Bleacher-Report.
Williams, 30, signed a one-year deal with the Jets this offseason and had played in all six games with New York so far, operating as the third receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard.
With the Jets now trading for Adams, Williams will far farther down the pecking order, and New York general manger Joe Douglas is looking to move on from the vet.
Williams’ contract is for $10 million and $8.3 million guaranteed. Most of that money would stay with New York as a dead cap hip if he’s traded. The Steelers would owe him less than $2 million for the remainder of the season, if he’s traded here.
Williams was one of the few wide receivers that the Steelers showed serious interest during the free agent process. They had a free agent visit scheduled with Williams in March, but he signed with the Jets before ever coming to Pittsburgh.
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Before this season, Williams had spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Chargers, who drafted him at No. 7 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 218-pound receiver has been one of the top deep-ball threats in the NFL in his six pro seasons, but injuries have slowed his production in the last few years.
In six games with the Jets, Williams caught 10 of 17 targets for 145 yards. Last season in L.A., he was limited to three games by an ACL injury, catching 19 passes for 249 yards and one touchdown. The Chargers released him last offseason in order to get salary cap compliant.
The Steelers have been searching for an outside receiver to pair with George Pickens since trading Diontae Johnson in March. They have now tried and failed to acquire multiple wide receiver via trade, including Adams and San Francisco 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk.