Category: Mike Williams

Steelers WR Mike Williams faces pressure to step up as team adjusts without George Pickens

Mike Williams must step up as Steelers adjust without George Pickens, who’s doubtful with a hamstring injury. Can he deliver in Week 15?

It’s been five weeks since wide receiver Mike Williams joined the Pittsburgh Steelers via the New York Jets at the trade deadline. Of course, there’s a period of acclimation to a new system, but Steelers Nation fans has been eager to see more from Williams, especially given the team’s lack of depth behind George Pickens.

So far, through five games, Williams has caught four of five targets for 68 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers are not reflective of the No. 2 wide receiver fans thought Williams would be.

Perhaps with a full week of preparation without Pickens — doubtful for the Philadelphia Eagles matchup with a “significant” hamstring injury — Williams will play a more prominent role in Week 15.

Williams has a golden opportunity to step into a larger role. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin noted Williams’ progress in practice but remained cautious about his fit in the offense.

Keep watching. Very much in development. We’ve seen some quality play-making in practice. I thought last weekend was a significant step in seeing some more. Let’s hope that continues.

With Pickens likely sidelined for an undetermined period, there’s no better time for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to lean on Williams’ playmaking ability as the team faces the nine-game win streak Eagles. Can Williams seize the moment and deliver when the Steelers need him most?

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Did the Steelers lose the WR Mike Williams trade?

Mike Williams continues to struggle for playing time and production with the Steelers, raising questions about the trade’s value.

Another week of Black and Gold football, another week of disappointment for fans hoping to see the not-so-newly acquired WR Mike Williams make an impact for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Critics of the Steelers’ use of Williams appear to be beating a dead horse, as he continues to see minimal involvement despite being in Pittsburgh for almost a month now.

Even with WR Calvin Austin III sidelined due to an injury in Week 13—and the NFL commentary team suggesting that Williams should be able to contribute with a better understanding of the playbook—the wide receiver finished with an unimpressive stat line of zero targets, zero catches, zero total yards, and just 17 total snaps on offense against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Since being acquired by Pittsburgh, Williams has played only seven, 15, and 11 snaps in Weeks 10–12, respectively. To make matters worse, Austin and WR Van Jefferson have been steadily outperforming him.

Once again, Williams finds himself buried in a crowded wide receiver room, and at this point, it seems Steelers GM Omar Khan traded a 2025 fifth-round pick to the New York Jets, and took on Williams’ remaining salary, for practically nothing.

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Will WR Mike Williams have his Steelers breakout game in Week 13?

Mike Williams has struggled to shine in Pittsburgh, but Cincinnati’s defensive flaws may finally give him the chance for a breakout.

WR Mike Williams’ journey with the Pittsburgh Steelers has been up-and-down, to say the least. From being acquired from the New York Jets to scoring the game-winning TD in Week 10, to being practically nonexistent on offense the past two weeks, could Williams finally have his breakout moment in Week 13?

Williams could benefit from a below-average Cincinnati pass defense, as the Bengals are ranked 23rd in passing yards per game, allowing 225.6 yards. The big-bodied Williams could also see additional red zone opportunities, as his first and only Steelers reception went for a TD. He’ll face one of the NFL’s worst red zone defenses in Week 13. The Bengals currently rank 31st in TDs allowed in the red zone and 30th in total TDs allowed.

QB Russell Wilson should have plenty of time to throw to Williams on Sunday as well, as Cincinnati’s defense has one of the league’s worst sack percentages, ranking 30th at 4.88%.

Williams is due for a Black and Gold breakout game in 2024, and Cincinnati’s weaknesses could provide the former Jets WR with the chance to make it happen.

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What is going on with WR Mike Williams?

The Steelers’ wide receiver room has seen changes, but questions remain about WR Mike Williams’ role in the team’s offensive strategy.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Such is the life of the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers‘ wide receiver room. While the Steelers addressed potential depth issues through free agency, the draft, and the trade deadline with WRs Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, and Mike Williams respectively, there has been almost nothing from these three to show for it.

Specifically, much of the hype surrounding the Williams acquisition leaves fans scratching their heads over why his usage has been so minimal.

His Week 10 debut saw him score the game-deciding TD, but he hasn’t received a single target in either Week 11 or Week 12’s contest.

In his recent disappearing act, Calvin Austin III has stepped up in a big way, but it doesn’t excuse the Steelers’ poor usage of Wilson.

The issue likely stems from the offensive scheme, much to the frustration of fans, as OC Arthur Smith’s predictable running calls have limited the Steelers’ passing opportunities in recent weeks.

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Aaron Rodgers takes high road to Mike Williams’ social media trolling

Aaron Rodgers dismissed Mike Williams’ jab about their “red line” drama, choosing resolution over rivalry after the Steelers’ Week 10 win.

While New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers may have started the drama between himself and former Jet and current Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Williams, he is certainly the first to put it behind him.

Rodgers publicly ridiculed Williams for running the wrong route during the Jets’ Week 6 loss to the Buffalo Bills, referring to the correct route he should’ve ran as the “red line.”

After scoring the game-winning touchdown in the Steelers’ Week 10 victory over the Washington Commanders, Williams took to social media to jab at his former QB, using “red line” in one of his hashtags.

When asked for his reaction to Williams’ apparent shot at him, Rodgers could have thrown gasoline on the fire, but he instead chose to extinguish it.

While it’s highly unlikely that Rodgers and Williams will be exchanging Christmas cards anytime soon, perhaps the two former teammates can now leave the past behind.

As Williams prepares to take on more responsibilities in Pittsburgh’s offense, his Week 11 performance will be pivotal in the team’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, on November 17th at 1:00 PM EST.

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Mike Williams takes shots at Aaron Rodgers following game-deciding TD

Mike Williams took a shot at Aaron Rodgers on social media after his Week 10 game-winning TD, referencing their past tension

It’s safe to say that QB Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets won’t be getting the last laugh anytime soon, as former Jet and current Steelers WR Mike Williams is quickly becoming a fan favorite in the Steel City. Williams seemingly still has a chip on his shoulder following his exit from New York and took a shot at his former QB.

After his team’s victory over the Washington Commanders in Week 10, Williams quickly took to social media to showcase an image of his incredible game-deciding TD reception late in the fourth quarter, with a caption containing an interesting jab at Rodgers:  “RedLine”.

This is, of course, referencing Rodgers’ infamous public call-out of Williams for running the wrong route, the ‘red line,’ following the Jets’ loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 6.

Rodgers and Williams seemingly have unresolved drama from their time as teammates in New York. However, it’s reassuring that with his performance in Week 10—scoring as many points as the entire New York Jets’ offense did on Sunday—Williams can put this chapter to bed.

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What should fans expect from Mike Williams’ Week 10 Steelers debut?

With Mike Williams set to debut in Week 10, the Pittsburgh Steelers face questions about his role and impact amid recent WR trade trends.

What a difference a week makes! Heading into the Pittsburgh Steelers’ bye in Week 9, uncertainty surrounded the wide receiver position as a whole. However, GM Omar Khan alleviated these concerns at the November 5 deadline by acquiring WR Mike Williams from the New York Jets.

Fans are now left with a new pair of questions: Will Williams contribute immediately, and if so, what will his impact look like?

If you asked QB Russell Wilson, he might say Williams’ presence will be felt all over the field, as his athletic prowess allows him to do virtually anything. However, OC Arthur Smith is particularly excited about Williams’ potential impact in the run game.

Looking at other similar situations for reference, WR Diontae Johnson, WR Amari Cooper, and former All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins all played limited snap counts in their debuts with new teams—averaging around just 30% of snaps played.

Could Williams follow a similar precedent and be used sparingly while he acclimates to the new offense? Or will his physical traits allow the team to utilize him more extensively in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders?

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Steelers WR Mike Williams recalls interaction with fans after Jets game

Pittsburgh Steelers fans attending the Week 7 Jets game made it known that Mike Williams would be a welcomed addition to the roster.

Before Mike Williams was jettisoned to the Pittsburgh Steelers, it had been 17 days since a visit to Acrisure Stadium.

There had been plenty of speculation that the Steelers would add a wide receiver before the trade deadline, and Wiliams was a name linked to those rumors.

Steelers fans attending the Week 7 Jets game made it known that Williams would be a welcomed addition to the roster. Williams recalled fondly the interaction with fans following his team’s loss to Pittsburgh.

“When we played here, the people were in the stands telling me don’t go back, stay, don’t take the plane back,” Williams said in his first press conference as a Steelers on Wednesday. “I thought it was funny.”

How many snaps Williams will take on Sunday is unknown. Mike Tomlin typically likes to ease new players into action. But offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is excited to get him going, especially as a run-blocker.

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QB Russell Wilson describes what makes WR Mike Williams special

Russell Wilson is excited about what Mike Williams can bring to the Steelers offense as they prepare for his debut in Pittsburgh.

While Pittsburgh Steelers fans are understandably excited to witness what WR Mike Williams is capable of in the Pittsburgh offense, it appears Steelers QB Russell Wilson already knows what to expect—greatness.

Wilson, speaking during the team’s media availability on Thursday, responded to a question about how Williams’s impressive athletic qualities can help the team moving forward. “I think those are all truths,” Wilson stated. “I think when you look out there and realize the guy is 6’5″, can run the way he can, jump up and catch the ball, run past people, and he’s physical even in the short game.”

Wilson gave the most impressive compliment a quarterback could ever give a receiver: “He’s just a guy who’s been really special over the years.”

It’s safe to say the Steelers’ QB is more than excited to get Williams onto the field for his Pittsburgh debut, and fans of the Black and Gold may be in for an absolute masterclass once the Wilson-Williams combination takes off.

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WR Mike Williams feels ready to make big time plays for Pittsburgh

WR Mike Williams let Pittsburgh fans know exactly who he is and what he’s capable of—a playmaker who will earn the right to be on the field.

The Pittsburgh Steelers winning culture has clearly resonated with WR Mike Williams, who has shown nothing less than the heart of a champion since his arrival.

In an article titled “Week 10 Blog: Focus still on stopping the run” on the Steelers’ official website, fans can find Williams’ comments about what he brings to the Steel City, stating: “I’m a playmaker. I want to make plays. I want to get the ops. I’m going to go out and work and show that I deserve to be on the field.”

Williams’ passion and desire are completely understandable, as the WR seemingly fell out of favor with Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, which Williams summarized as the beginning of the end of his time in New York.

Will Steelers fans be able to witness the Russell Wilson-Williams combination begin as early as Week 10’s game against the 7-2 Washington Commanders? Fans can look forward to this matchup, which can only be described as a battle of the behemoths, on November 10th at 1:00 PM EST.

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