Steelers Now
After only recording nine catches for 132 yards and one touchdown in nine games with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, it’s safe to say that the club will move on from wide receiver Mike Williams in 2025.
But he could remain in the AFC North. Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus tabbed the Baltimore Ravens as an ideal landing spot for the veteran wide receiver.
“Without much cap space to maneuver, the Ravens will have a limited pool of free-agent options,” Cameron wrote. “One potential target to fill in nicely as a big-bodied X-receiver could be Mike Williams. While he struggled in 2024, another offseason to regain his form post-ACL surgery in 2023 could pay dividends. In six seasons with the Chargers prior to his injury, he posted a 72.0-plus PFF receiving grade each year, presenting a solid value, if he can get back on track.”
Williams made an immediate impact in his Steelers debut, catching a 32-yard game-winning touchdown against the Washington Commanders. However, that was really the only production. He also had a 25-yard grab in the Steelers’ Week 18 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He occasionally was good for a 50/50 ball.
Not knowing the playbook in full detail could have been a problem for Williams, as he was traded for at the midway point of the season. The Steelers acquired Williams in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with the New York Jets on Nov. 5.
Williams did not receive first-team reps in his first four games with the Steelers. His first start was in Week 13 against the Bengals.
Williams went from catching the game-winning touchdown in Week 10 to not receiving a single target in Week 11 and Week 12. It’s not the role many imagined he would have in three games into his Steelers career, but he is happy as long as they keep winning.
“For me, just do your assignment. That’s the main thing. You watch the film. You do your assignment. You be where you need to be,” Williams said. “I mean, we winning, so that’s all that matters at this point.”
Williams played only nine snaps against Washington, but he caught a Russell Wilson moon ball over his shoulder for a 32-yard game-winning touchdown. It was Williams only catch of the game, but it came at the most important time.
“He’s a veteran guy. He’s a quick study,” 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.”
