While the big news out of the AFC West on Tuesday was the Denver Broncos acquiring superstar quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks, the Los Angeles Chargers made a significant move as well, inking wide receiver Mike Williams to a new three-year, $60 million dollar contract.
The contract will pay Williams $40 million guaranteed and a whopping $28 million in Year 1, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Williams may not be a household name the way Wilson is, but the 27-year-old is coming off an absolutely elite season. Alongside former Oregon Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert, Williams hauled in 76 receptions for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns – with the receptions and yards exceeding his previous career-high.
Herbert relied on Williams a lot in clutch situations, including a game-tying touchdown on the final play of regulation in Week 18 against the Raiders, and a 53-yard touchdown to take the lead with two minutes remaining against the Steelers in Week 11. Williams was also the recipient of Herbert’s 35th touchdown pass of the season last year, breaking a 13-year-old franchise record.
Los Angeles just missed the playoffs last season, Herbert’s second in the NFL, but the duo will once again be a menace to opposing defenses in 2022 and beyond.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01f27mq9z7hjgk6vc6 player_id=none image=https://duckswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
[listicle id=20843]