Tag: Mike Williams

Steelers finally strike with 3rd-quarter TD in Wild-Card matchup vs Ravens

The Steelers’ offense sparked life in the second half against the Ravens, but closing the gap in the Wild-Card game remains a challenge.

Heading into the Wild-Card matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers were tasked with stopping a four-game losing streak and achieving their first playoff win in almost 3,000 days. Fans of the Black and Gold have been disappointed, to say the least, as the Ravens shut out the Steelers in the first half, leading 21-0.

However, the Russell Wilson-led offense offered a glimmer of hope—leading the team’s first drive of the second half to a touchdown. Wilson capitalized on huge plays to WRs Mike Williams, Calvin Austin, and Van Jefferson, resulting in a 98-yard drive that ended in seven points.

The play of the drive was undoubtedly the Wilson-to-Jefferson 30-yard touchdown. While the Steelers begin to dig into the deep hole the Ravens have put them in, scoring another 21 unanswered points remains a tall task.

The Pittsburgh Steelers quickly gave up a rushing TD to RB Derrick Henry following Jefferson’s 30-yard TD, and the Ravens currently lead 28-7.

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Tyreek Hill teases Steelers as potential landing spot on social media

Tyreek Hill sparks Steelers trade rumors after posting a video with a Steelers helmet subtly visible in the background.

Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers have been down the ‘WR trade rumor road’ before. Brandon Aiyuk, Davante Adams, D.K. Metcalf, and Cooper Kupp were all linked to the Black and Gold as potential trade candidates throughout the 2024 season.

However, the Steelers ultimately decided on a receiver who demanded less trade compensation—former New York Jets WR Mike Williams.

Another receiver from the AFC East has been linked as a potential 2025 trade candidate for the Pittsburgh Steelers this past week: Dolphins superstar WR Tyreek Hill.

Hill recently alluded to being done with the Miami Dolphins after quitting during the Week 18 contest and changing his profile picture to mimic former Steelers WR Antonio Brown.

Adding further speculation to a potential Steelers-Dolphins trade, Hill recently uploaded a video to social media featuring a Steelers helmet hidden in the background.


The Pittsburgh Steelers desperately need to upgrade their wide receiver room heading into the 2025 offseason, and Hill—even at 30 years old—would be incredible in the Steel City.

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Mike Williams’ sensational catch ignites Steelers’ touchdown drive

The Steelers closed in on the Bengals in the second quarter

Mike Williams has made a career of making dazzling catches.

The wideout added another one in the second quarter of Saturday’s Pittsburgh Steelers game with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Williams ran down the sidelines and caught the Russell Wilson pass for 26 yards, someohow keeping both feel inbounds.

Aided by two PIT penalties against Cam Taylor-Britt, the Steelers wound up getting a TD run from Najee Harris to cut their deficit to 10-7.

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 17-13 lead over Steelers

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 17-13 lead over Steelers

Philadelphia established its passing game and was dominant on defense, but the scoreboard tells a different story as the Eagles hold just a 17-13 lead over Pittsburgh after one half.

Vic Fangio’s defense held the Steelers to just 80 yards of offense on 30 plays in the first half, but two costly Eagles turnovers and two Chris Boswell field goals have Mike Tomlin’s team within four.

With the second half set to begin, we’re looking at sights and sounds from the first half.

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Who misses who more: Diontae Johnson or the Pittsburgh Steelers?

With Pickens injured and Johnson causing drama in Baltimore, it’s unclear who’s missing who more—Diontae Johnson or the Steelers.

What a difference a week makes! Heading into Week 14, the Pittsburgh Steelers WR room seemed to have found its groove: the alpha in George Pickens, the deep threat in Calvin Austin III, and the big-bodied Mike Williams. However, following a last-minute hamstring injury to Pickens, which may jeopardize his availability over the next few weeks, the Steelers may regret trading away former All-Pro WR Diontae Johnson this past offseason.

Johnson was traded to the Carolina Panthers nine months ago in March 2024 for CB Donte Jackson, and was then traded to the Baltimore Ravens on October 29. There appears to be an issue with Johnson’s usage in the Ravens’ offensive scheme, leading to him refusing to play during Baltimore’s Week 13 contest against the Eagles, resulting in a one-game suspension.

While fans may be quick to disparage Johnson’s value for drama-related reasons, Pickens may have ultimately been more dramatic and disruptive this season.

Nevertheless, the only exception is the fantastic acquisition of Jackson, with WR depth still an issue and Johnson unhappy in Baltimore; both sides likely would have benefitted if the trade had never taken place.

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Could Odell Beckham Jr. sign with the receiver-hungry Steelers?

With the Pittsburgh Steelers in desperate need of WR help, could the team potentially sign the recently released Odell Beckham Jr.?

In what is shaping up to be an up-and-down roller coaster for the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver room over the past few weeks, one recently released Miami Dolphins receiver could make all the difference for the Black and Gold.

Former All-Pro WR Odell Beckham Jr. and the Dolphins have mutually agreed to part ways, with Beckham seeking opportunities for playing time elsewhere.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were in desperate need of receiver help heading into the 2024 regular season, and it remains their biggest area of concern with major implications looming over the next few weeks.

With Steelers WR George Pickens out with a hamstring injury and no return date given, Beckham and the Steel City seem like a match made in Heaven.

Beckham would instantly be an upgrade to the depleted Steelers wide receiver room, and when Pickens is healthy, this terrifying tandem would be tough for opposing secondaries to contain. In the meantime, Pittsburgh Steelers WRs Calvin Austin III, Mike Williams, Van Jefferson, and Scotty Miller will do their best to fill the void left by Pickens.

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Week 15: Should you drop George Pickens in fantasy football?

Fantasy football managers may need to decide whether to keep George Pickens on their roster as he may miss the entirety of their playoffs.

For the lucky few fantasy football fanatics who have made it into the playoffs, congratulations are in order! However, if Steelers WR George Pickens is on your roster, things may be looking grim.

While league settings may vary, the majority of fantasy football leagues will be playing their playoffs between Weeks 15 and 17—the weeks Pickens might miss, according to one Steelers insider.

It is unlikely Pickens will end up on IR, forcing fantasy managers to decide if the Steelers WR is worth keeping around ultimately. His absence from Week 15 is all but confirmed, and insiders seem to agree that Pickens may not be able to recover from his hamstring injury in time for Weeks 16 and 17.

If Pickens is on your roster, it is important to consider when, if at all, he will return to action in the regular season. Can your roster sustain having the Pittsburgh Steelers WR taking up a spot on the bench, or will you ultimately need to let him go in favor of some other potential breakout Steelers players, like WR Mike Williams, WR Calvin Austin III, or TE Pat Freiermuth?

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Calvin Austin on the ugly truth: There’s no replacing George Pickens

Calvin Austin discusses the challenge of replacing George Pickens and emphasizes the collective effort of the receivers and coaching staff.

Calvin Austin may be an honorary member of the George Pickens fan club, or he could be the most realistic man in all of Pittsburgh.

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Austin made it clear that when it comes to Pickens and his time away with a hamstring injury, there is no way to replace him with another Steelers wide receiver: “It’s hard to say anybody is similar to GP.”

Austin continued to shift the focus and pressure away from one specific player stepping up to replace Pickens, placing emphasis on the coaching staff’s ability to utilize all of the Steelers’ wide receivers’ unique strengths: “Everybody in the receiver room has different skill sets—different strengths—and the coaching staff knows that. They know how to put us in the position to be able to show that.”

Austin hit the nail right on the head—it will take all wide receivers and coaches to overcome the loss of talent that Pickens brings to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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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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Florida freshman O-lineman announces transfer intentions

Mike Williams signed with Florida a year ago, but he’ll hit the transfer portal this offseason in search of more playing time. Williams redshirted and did not see the field this year.

Florida freshman offensive lineman [autotag]Mike Williams[/autotag] announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Monday.

“To Coach Nap (Billy Napier), Coach (Rob) Sale, and the University of Florida staff, thank you for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams of playing football and for all you have done for me over the past year,” he wrote on Twitter.

“To Gator Nation, thank you for your unwavering support and for making me feel so welcomed. This place and you all will forever hold a special place in my heart. To my teammates, the brotherhood we’ve built is unmatched, and I’ve found lifelong friends here. With that being said, I am entering the transfer portal with four years of eligibility remaining.”

Williams signed with the Gators as a member of the class of 2024 out of Charles Herbert Flowers High in Baltimore, Maryland. He did not see action in his lone year with the program. 247Sports graded him out as a three-star recruit, ranked No. 1,306 overall and No. 103 among offensive tackles, while On3 had him at Nos. 1,083 and 75, respectively.

Head coach Billy Napier spoke highly of Williams on early signing day last year, noting a high football IQ and overall “presence.” Williams has four years of eligibility remaining.

Williams is the sixth Gator to announce a transfer decision following walk-on safety Ahmad Covington, edge defenders Justus Boone, Bryce Capers (walk-on) and Quincy Ivory (JUCO transfer, 2023) and wide receiver Andy Jean.

Florida’s options at offensive tackle in 2025

Florida’s offensive tackle situation will be one to monitor over the offseason with starting left tackle Austin Barber possibly leaving for the NFL draft and starting right tackle and San Diego State transfer Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson out of eligibility.

Barber, a redshirt junior this season, has one more year of eligibility remaining and could opt to stay with the program to anchor the offensive line for another year.

Backup tackle Devon Manuel also has another year of eligibility, but Florida may opt to add someone from the transfer portal rather than elevate him to a starting role.

Redshirt freshman Caden Jones (17) and true freshman Fletcher Westphal (12) also got snaps at tackle this year. Redshirt junior Kamryn Waites and redshirt freshman Bryce Lovett were used at guard this season but could shift out to tackle if needed for depth.

The Gators are set to add a pair of freshmen offensive tackles to the roster come early signing day, four-star Tavaris Dice and three-star Jahari Medlock.

Walk-ons Mark Faircloth and Mark Pitts both saw action in blowout games this season.

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