Chargers’ decision with WR Mike Williams looms

All eyes are on the Chargers to see what they will do with Mike Williams.

The Chargers’ decision on wide receiver Mike Williams looms.

Williams heads into the offseason as one of the top pending unrestricted free agents, and Los Angeles has the opportunity to ensure he doesn’t go anywhere starting on Tuesday.

The two-week window for franchise tagging players begins, which means it would guarantee Williams a one-year deal worth and give both sides more time to potentially iron out a long-term extension if they decide to take this route.

The cost to tag Williams would be $19 million. L.A. is set to have the third-most cap space in the league, per Over The Cap.

If the Chargers don’t tag Williams, they could also negotiate a long-term deal when free agency opens on March 14. However, he would also be free to negotiate with any team then.

In a new role under Joe Lombardi, Williams is coming off arguably his most productive seasons to date, setting career highs with 76 receptions and 1,146 receiving yards. In addition, he added nine touchdown catches in 2021.

Williams made a strong case in the season finale against the Raiders, as he came through in the clutch and made big plays along the way, most notably when he caught a 12-yard touchdown pass as time expired to send the game into overtime.

The 27-year old was inconsistent in the middle of the season, dealt with dropped passes, and may still draw injury concerns, but keeping Williams is vital for continuity between him and Justin Herbert, and his big-play ability doesn’t come around often with other players at the position.

Poll: What should Chargers do with WR Mike Williams?

Should the Chargers keep Mike Williams around long-term, have him play on a “prove-it” deal, or let him test free agency?

The Chargers have some tough decisions to make this offseason regarding whether or not they will be keeping some of their in-house players that are expected to hit the free agency market.

Among the crop is wide receiver Mike Williams.

Williams is coming off arguably his most productive seasons to date, setting career highs with 76 receptions and 1,146 receiving yards. In addition, he added nine touchdown catches in 2021.

Williams recently had a salary of $15.68 million for his fifth-year option and should command north of that, whether that be getting franchise tagged or a long-term commitment.

Should the Chargers tag Williams, it will cost them $19.13 million, according to Over The Cap. The price might be steep, but it would give the team some flexibility to delay a long-term extension until 2023, spend elsewhere and ultimately play the safe route if he doesn’t pan out,

If they want to extend him now, it will likely be around $16-17 million per year. Pro Football Focus projects a four-year, $68 million (17 per year) deal.

You can make an argument for that being too much money for a receiver who may have had a productive season but still had spurts of inconsistency in the middle of it, dealt with dropped passes, and still draws injury concerns.

However, the argument for Williams staying is keeping continuity between him and Justin Herbert, the ascend in his new role, his big-play ability, and he is well-liked as a person among the organization.

With that, we want to hear what you think Los Angeles should do with Williams: Keep him around long-term, have him play on a “prove-it” deal, or let him test free agency.

Vote in the poll below.

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