Report: Steelers to Host WR Mike Williams for Visit

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to host wide receiver Mike Williams on a visit this week, according to a report by Jordan Schultz. But first, Williams will visit the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers. Then, it will come to the Steelers, who have a huge need at wide receiver to fill. The Los Angeles Chargers also want to bring Williams back after trading Keenan Allen.

Williams, 29, has been with the Chargers since they selected him as the No. 7 overall pick out of Clemson 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 two years.

Williams got his start as a big-time deep threat. In 2019, he led the NFL in yards per reception at 20.4, and his average depth of target was absurdly 17.8 yards. Williams had his most productive season in 2021, when he caught 76 passes for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns.

In 2022, he missed four regular-season games with ankle injuries and then suffered a small fracture in his back, causing him to miss the Chargers’ playoff game. Last year, Williams tore his ACL in Week 3, ending his season.

The Chargers released Williams as part of a salary purge the team needed to get com compliant.

The Steelers have released veteran slot receiver Allen Robinson II and traded star outside receiver Diontae Johnson this month, leaving the team very needy at the wide receiver position, but they apparently are not in the running to land the top free agent available. They signed veteran Van Jefferson.

Williams and Pickens would give the Steelers a pair of big-bodied deep threats, a perfect set-up for Arthur Smith’s play-action scheme and Russell Wilson’s propensity for throwing rainbow deep balls. But it remains to be seen if that will happen.