Tag: Mike Williams

Matt Leinart and Lincoln Riley welcome Mike Williams back to USC

Matt Leinart joined the call with Lincoln Riley in a feel-good moment for every USC football fan.

USC football fans will be talking about the new Trojan defense at the 2024 spring football game on Saturday. They will also talk to each other about Big Mike Williams (BMW) driving the car as the program’s new director of player development. Lincoln Riley made the move, but he consulted with Matt Leinart as well. Riley and Leinart were on the call as they welcomed Mike Williams back into the fold at USC, in a move which has Trojan fans feeling warm and fuzzy all over.

Matt Leinart and Mike Williams teamed up to give USC a potent offense under coordinator Norm Chow in the 2003 season, when the Trojans ascended to the mountaintop and won the Associated Press college football national championship. USC finished No. 1 in the Associated Press Poll, while LSU won the Bowl Championship Series national title by winning the 2004 Sugar Bowl over Oklahoma. Mike Williams now tries to ride the BMW back to national championship contention, helping Riley with player development, an area of the program which needs to improve.

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USC legend Mike Williams joins Trojans’ football operations staff

Lincoln Riley reaches out to Mike Williams and brings him back into the USC program.

USC football has hired Trojan legend Mike Williams as the program’s director of player development. The report comes from SBLive’s Andy Villamarzo, who broke the story on Williams’ return to USC. Lincoln Riley has reached out to a cherished member of the Trojan family in a widely popular move which will have Trojan fans smiling as they gather to watch the 2024 spring football game on Saturday.

At USC, Williams had 176 catches for 2,579 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Williams went on to be the No. 10 pick in the 2005 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. Williams played in the league for seven seasons. He caught 127 passes for 1,526 yards and five touchdowns in his NFL career.

Williams was previously a head football coach at Robinson High School in Tampa. He spent one year as head coach at Robinson, leading the team to a 9-3 record.

The former national champion, Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, and consensus All-American from 2002-2004 will bring recruits in from all over the country, especially the talent-rich hotbed of Florida, his home state.

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Report: Panthers had chance to match Jets’ offer to Mike Williams

According to The Charlotte Observer, the Panthers had an opportunity to match the Jets’ offer to WR Mike Williams.

There’s no denying that the Carolina Panthers had some interest in new New York Jets receiver Mike Williams. But we might have to put an emphasis on the “some” part.

Last week, Williams and Gang Green agreed to terms on a one-year, $15 million deal. The pact was reached after the free-agent wideout also reportedly met with the Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Well, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the Panthers may have had the chance to actually secure a homecoming for the Vance, S.C. native . . .

Since Kaye’s post, Jets head coach Robert Saleh stated that Williams—who sustained an ACL tear in Week 3 of the 2023 campaign—still has to tackle his path to recovery.

“He’s got a long way to go,” Saleh told reporters from the Annual League Meeting. “He’s on the same timeline that Breece [Hall] had. They’re very similar injuries, same timeframe. Speaking with Mike, he knows he’s got a road to trek, but at the same time, if he does it the right way, we’re very confident that we’ll have them ready for Week 1.”

Williams carries an extensive injury history with him to New York. 2017’s seventh overall pick, who has played just one full pro season, appeared in 16 of a possible 34 games for the Los Angeles Chargers over the last two years.

So perhaps the Panthers might’ve had some pause on the 29-year-old, especially with that type of money on the table.

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Chargers ready for Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston to take step forward

The Chargers are now looking to Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston to step up in 2024.

The offseason has brought a myriad of roster changes for the Chargers but none is most notable than at wide receiver.

With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams gone, the Chargers are now looking to fourth-year Joshua Palmer and former first-round draft pick Quentin Johnston to step up in 2024.

General manager Joe Hortiz said that the upcoming season is Palmer’s opportunity to thrive as a starter. 

“I’m really excited about Josh,” Hortiz said, per the team’s official website. “I think he is at that point in his career where he is a vet now and he’s worked under two receivers.

“When he’s been given opportunities, he’s been on the field when those two haven’t been and he’s produced for us,” Hortiz added. “I’ve gotten to know him pretty good over the past couple six weeks I’ve been here, so I expect him to step up his game.”

Since he was drafted in 2021, Palmer has 143 catches for 1,703 yards and nine touchdowns.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh believes Johnston will take great strides this year as he continues to develop. 

“We’re excited about Quentin, his opportunity,” Harbaugh said.

Hortiz also added: “Every time you put on the tape, you see the talent and I expect him to make the jump. I know we have the right coaches to help him make the jump. I feel good about the guys that are here.”

As a rookie, Johnston had 38 catches for 431 yards and two touchdowns during the 2023 season.

Despite the optimism towards Palmer and Johnston, the Chargers still need to solidify the positional room, which could be done with a veteran signing in free agency and the draft.

Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh on Keenan Allen trade: ‘It’s the business part of the NFL’

This marked the first time Jim Harbaugh spoke after Keenan Allen was traded.

Jim Harbaugh spoke to the media at the NFL’s annual owners meetings for the first time since Keenan Allen was traded to the Bears.

It’s the business part of the NFL. Everybody does what’s best for them. Joe [Hortiz] talked about it last week. It’s very transparent. It’s the buisness part of it. Everybody does what’s in their best intesrest. And Keenan? Make $23 million a year, play in Chicago. You know? Who’s got it better?

Harbaugh stated that Joe Hortiz and Allen’s agent, Joby Branion, primarily facilitated the deal to send Allen to the Bears. Harbaugh mentioned Allen doing what was right for his family.

With Mike Williams leaving to the Jets on a one-year, $15 million, Harbaugh also mentioned that he did what was in his best interest. With Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack staying for 2024, Harbaugh said he’s “thrilled” to have those two return.

Asked about plans for the wide receiver room, Harbaugh said that he’s “excited” about Quentin Johnston, Josh Palmer, and Derius Davis in the wide receiver room. Like Hortiz said in his press conference last week, Harbaugh was quick to point out free agency as a source for talent in addition to the draft.

The Chargers could end up addressing their receiver room with one of the class’ top talents like Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze. However, Hortiz did note the depth of the wide receiver class back at his combine presser. Free agents like Odell Beckham Jr. and Michael Gallup remain on the market.

Whatever combination of options the Chargers choose, I’d be willing to bet this is far from their final depth chart at the wide receiver position.

Mike Williams probably won’t be ready for start of training camp, Jets hopeful for start of season, says Joe Douglas

Mike Williams probably won’t be ready for start of training camp, Jets hopeful for start of season, says Joe Douglas

New Jets wide receiver Mike Williams still has a ways to go in his recovery from his ACL injury last season. “A long way to go,” as head coach Robert Saleh put it.

That road will last until at least past the start of training camp. Speaking at the Annual League Meeting Monday in Orlando, Jets general manager Joe Douglas said Williams probably won’t be ready for the start of training camp but that the team is hopeful he will be ready for the start of the regular season.

Saleh compared Williams’ timeline to that of running back Breece Hall when he had his ACL recovery last offseason. Hall was limited throughout the preseason and early in the regular season before the Jets started letting him loose about a month into the season.

The Jets structured Williams’ contract in a way that protects them if Williams can’t play but gives Williams plenty of opportunities to make more money by being available and producing for the team. His base value for the contract is $10 million with another $5 million available via incentives.

Not having Williams at the outset of training camp stings a bit for the Jets, but they were likely aware of this anyway when they signed him. They just need him to produce during the season and help take pressure off of Garrett Wilson.

Mike Williams to count less than $6 million against salary cap for 2024

Mike Williams estimated to count less than $6 million against salary cap for 2024

The Jets and general manager Joe Douglas have become big fans of void years lately. The latest example comes from their contract for their new wide receiver Mike Williams.

It was reported earlier Saturday that Williams signed a one-year deal worth $10 million that could become $15 million via incentives from receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns.

Over the Cap is currently estimating that the team added four void years to Williams’ contract to spread out the cap hit of Williams’ $3.3 million signing bonus. That means just $660,000 gets charged for 2024. Over the Cap is likely estimating that three of the 17 games for the per-game roster bonus of $1.7 million is “likely to be earned”, as that is how many games Williams played last season before his ACL injury.

As a result, that would only charge $300,000 against the cap in 2024 and anything after that would be charged to the 2025 salary cap. Using that, Williams’ cap number for 2024 would come to just $5.96 million. He’ll leave at least $2.64 million in dead money for 2025 plus any other additional charges that the Jets would incur if they happen.

Overall, a small risk for a potential big reward with Williams and another example of the Jets placing all their eggs into the 2024 basket.

Report: Jets, free-agent OLB Jadeveon Clowney have ‘remained in constant contact’

The Jets may be looking to swoop in on another Panthers free-agent target.

The New York Jets may be primed to swoop in on another Carolina Panthers free-agent target.

According to Bleacher Report NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Jets and outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney have “remained in constant contact” following their meeting from this past week. Schultz also notes that while New York is “highly motivated” to sign the three-time Pro Bowler, the Panthers and Baltimore Ravens have maintained interest in deals of their own.

Clowney visited the Panthers back on March 14. The 31-year-old Rock Hill, S.C. native is coming off a productive 2023 campaign in Baltimore, where he posted 9.5 sacks and a career-high 71 pressures.

Since his visit, Carolina has signed fellow free-agent pass rushers D.J. Wonnum and K’Lavon Chaisson. They also expressed interest in former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young, who was ultimately scooped up by the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints.

In addition to Clowney, the Jets were in pursuit of wide receiver Mike Williams—who the Panthers met with as well. That pursuit proved to be a successful one, as Williams agreed to a one-year contract with New York.

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Contract details for new Jets wide receiver Mike Williams

Contract details for new Jets wide receiver Mike Williams

New Jets wide receiver Mike Williams is getting a one-year, $10 million contract for this season, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

The deal includes a $3.3 million signing bonus and $8.3 million guaranteed. The deal also includes $5 million in incentives, which include receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

Williams gets a $5 million base salary and $1.7 million in per-game roster bonuses ($100,000 per game).

So in total, Williams can make as much as $15 million, of which $8.3 million is guaranteed, as mentioned earlier, and $6.7 million can be earned via health and production.

The Jets signed Williams earlier this week after Williams was a cap casualty of the Los Angeles Chargers as the team needed to get under the salary cap before the start of the league year March 13. Williams is also returning from a torn ACL, which also explains the $5 million in incentives.

New York brought Williams in for a visit and got a sandwich as well as a new contract all in one day. Jets fans now hope he’ll help eat up opposing defenses and create a strong pairing with new teammate Garrett Wilson.

Mike Williams felt Jets were great fit, dynamic with Garrett Wilson feels like Keenan Allen

Mike Williams felt Jets were great fit, dynamic with Garrett Wilson feels like Keenan Allen

Mike Williams is excited to be a New York Jet in 2024 and it’s more than just the sandwich he received from a superfan during his visit.

Williams, the former Chargers wide receiver whom the Jets signed to a one-year deal worth up to $15 million, said he felt the Jets were a great fit for him. Williams said he is excited to play with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

But it’s his talk about new running mate at wide receiver Garrett Wilson that may have Jets fans the most excited. Williams told the media Wednesday he feels the dynamic he has between himself and Wilson reminds him of the dynamic Williams had between himself and former teammate and now Chicago Bear Keenan Allen.

While both receivers have dealt with injuries in recent seasons, if you go back to 2021 when both played 16 games, both reached the 1,000-yard mark (Williams 1,164; Allen 1,138). The Jets’ Wilson has reached 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first two NFL seasons. A healthy Williams alongside him should give Wilson a good chance to make it three straight seasons with 1,000 yards.

Williams did say he is right on schedule in his recovery from his ACL injury last season and expects to be ready for Week 1.

If things go right, this will be one of the better wide receiver pairings across the league.