By Cameron Buford, whatsgoodinsports.com
The newly relocated Chargers used the seventh pick of the 2017 NFL draft to select the 6-foot 4-inch South Carolina native and Clemson Tigers standout wide receiver Mike Williams. Coming off back-to-back national championship appearances in 2016 Williams was expected to be the big body target for legendary quarterback Philip Rivers at the time.
Williams, the fifth-year receiver who led the Los Angeles Chargers in receiving yards and touchdowns this past season, just inked a three-year deal worth a reported $60 million. The deal is said to include a $40 million guarantee, with $28 million in the first year. This deal makes Williams the sixth highest-paid receiver in the league, just behind his teammate Keenan Allen.
“Mike Williams changes our offense. We knew going into this year we needed to get him the ball more!” Says Justin Herbert, 2021 NFL rookie-of-the-year quarterback and 2022 starting Pro-Bowl quarterback, of Williams. “I think he’s an incredible receiver, he’s one of the guys that when he goes up, and 50/50 balls are more like 75/25,” Herbert added.
“Catch every ball that comes my way, make a lot of plays, be a leader,” Mike said of his intentions coming into the season, back in OTA’s (Organized Team Activities). He also spoke on the work he put into the last off-season, “I’ve spent a lot more time on my body. A lot more bodywork, massages, cryotherapy, yoga and stretching. Not that I haven’t been in the past, just doing a lot more now.”
That preparation led to Williams finishing with single-season career highs in receptions (76) and receiving yards (1,146). His nine catches of 40-plus yards were the most in the AFC in 2021. Most impressively, Williams emerged as the go-to guy for the Chargers, as he led the league with seven receiving scores in the fourth quarter and set a single-season NFL record with five go-ahead touchdowns in the fourth quarter or overtime.
“Every year, I try to find something to get better at in my game to make my game better. I feel like year-in and year-out, I’ve been doing that!” Williams said in his season-ending press conference. Williams also said this about this coming off-season, “I’ll try to get better so that we won’t be in this position (out of the playoffs) just try to help my team win ball games; that’s the main thing. Get better, better my game, and come out and be a better player next year.”
“When the big lights are on, I’m ready to make plays when everybody is watching. When the team needs a play, I feel like I am capable of making that play. I just trust in my ability.” Williams responded when asked to describe his league-leading five go-ahead touchdowns in the fourth quarter last season.
“Moving him around within the formation, and that would allow [WR] Keenan [Allen] to move. I felt like that would be an advantage for us, offensively.” Brandon Staley said about utilizing the versatility Williams brings to their offense. When asked about his communication with Staley once he resigned with the Chargers, Williams said, “We talked yesterday. Just building on what we had last year. Obviously, last year was the first year that we were in the offense, so just build from that, get the chemistry better with the quarterbacks and go out there and have fun.”
Kindly share your confidence in Williams based on what you’ve seen so far in this season. Additionally, would you have any objection to giving him a new deal? Let me know by reaching out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport or shoot me an email at info@whatsgoodinsports.com. I encourage you to forward any suggestions on what topics or angles about this new version of the Los Angeles Chargers you would like to see discussed this season.
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