Tag: Mike Williams

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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Steelers WR Mike Williams believes Aaron Rodgers to blame for trade

Newest Steelers receiver Mike Williams theorized that it was his slow return to action that led to him falling out of favor Aaron Rodgers.

The newest Pittsburgh Steelers receiver, Mike Williams, has no ill will toward his former New York Jets team or their quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.

However, Williams theorized that it was his slow return to action that led to him falling out of favor with the future Hall of Famer and, ultimately, being traded.

“Going there after the ACL, not having OTAs or training camp to get the chemistry right … [Rodgers] is real detailed. He likes what he likes. Me not being able to transition in as quick is probably what went wrong,” Williams said in a Wednesday press conference.

Rodgers responded to the trade news during Tuesday’s The Pat McAfee Show appearance. “Mike’s a good guy. He’ll be good in that locker room… He’s had a nice career. Sometimes a change of scenery is great for certain guys.”

Williams appeared in nine games with three starts and had 12 receptions on 21 targets for 166 yards.

Before landing with the Jets, Williams spent seven seasons with the L.A. Chargers, who took him 7th overall in the 2017 NFL draft.

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What Jets’ Jeff Ulbrich said about Mike Williams trade

What Jets’ Jeff Ulbrich said about Mike Williams trade

The New York Jets decided to ship out Mike Williams at the 2024 NFL trade deadline.

The Jets (3-6) dealt Williams to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It deal fetched New York a fifth-round draft pick at next year’s draft.

As for why the deal happened, head coach Jeff Ulbrich didn’t say much about it. He said both the team and player likely played a role in why things didn’t work out in New York but that’s it.

“For a lot of different reasons,” Ulbrich said.

On the flip side, general manager Joe Douglas was more direct. The GM noted Williams coming off an ACL injury in 2023 put him behind the eight ball and the acquisition of receiver Davante Adams.

Ulbrich’s full analysis of the deal can be found in the clip below:

Insider believes Steelers pursued D.K. Metcalf at trade deadline

After an eventful trade deadline, insider Jeremy Fowler believes Pittsburgh was one of several teams in inquire about a D.K. Metcalf trade.

It appears Pittsburgh’s trade to acquire WR Mike Williams, which Steelers fans have excitedly embraced, may not have happened if the Seattle Seahawks hadn’t treated trade talks as a “nonstarter,” per insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

In an ESPN article co-written with fellow insider Dan Graziano, Fowler revealed several interesting and previously unheard details from the trade deadline. One notable scoop was Fowler’s claim that not only did Pittsburgh “scour the earth for receiver help,” but the ESPN insider also believes the Steelers were one of several teams to inquire about a possible trade for Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf.

While a Russell Wilson-Metcalf reunion would have been an amazing sight for fans of the Black and Gold to behold, the trade would likely have been far too expensive for Steelers’ GM Omar Khan‘s tastes.

There is no refuge in looking back at what could have been, as the team now has a bona fide WR2, and the Wilson-Williams combo could be ‘DangeRuss.’

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Pittsburgh radio host describes rumored trade package for Jaguars’ WR

Pittsburgh radio host Andrew Filliponi of 93.7 The Fan discussed the rumored trade package for WR Christian Kirk, prior to his injury.

It is rumored that the ‘Khan Artist’ was nearly conned at his own game. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ General Manager Omar Khan is beloved in the Steel City for his stellar draft selections, trade negotiations, and free agency signings.

However, a rumor coined by Pittsburgh radio host Andrew Filliponi of 93.7 The Fan, described on social media, suggests that the Steelers were extremely close to overpaying in a trade for Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk, prior to his season-ending collarbone injury.

According to Filliponi, the rumor claimed Pittsburgh would have sent a 2025 third-round draft selection to Jacksonville in exchange for Kirk..

While fans should take the rumor with a grain of salt, if true, the Steelers’ trade for New York Jets WR Mike Williams looks even more outstanding, as the 2025 fifth-round compensation given up is nowhere near as valuable as a third-round draft pick.

Williams should fit nicely into the offensive scheme in Pittsburgh, and fans could catch a glimpse of the Russell Wilson-Williams connection as early as Week 10, when the Steelers take on the Commanders on November 10th at 1:00 PM EST.

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Is Preston Smith the missing piece Pittsburgh has been searching for?

Preston Smith, the newly acquired Steelers’ OLB at the 2024 trade deadline, could be the difference maker Pittsburgh has been looking for.

The true difference maker from the trade deadline acquisitions for the Pittsburgh Steelers may be the second trade the team made—for none other than former Packers’ OLB Preston Smith.

The 31-year-old Smith provides Pittsburgh with a tremendous amount of starting experience off the edge, in which he has accumulated 68.5 career sacks in 155 games played.  He only cost the Steelers a 2025-seventh round draft pick.

After losing OLB Alex Highsmith to injury in Week 3, the team lost two straight contests to the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys in Weeks 4 and 5, respectively. While backup OLB Nick Herbig filled in admirably, he too would suffer an injury.

While Highsmith would eventually return to Pittsburgh in Week 7, the Steelers now have a very capable starter in Smith, who is relishing his opportunity to sack opposing quarterbacks.

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be gearing up for a deep playoff run, focusing on keeping their defensive line loaded and healthy, with elite players like T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Preston Smith, Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and Larry Ogunjobi ready to wreck opposing offenses.

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2 new Steelers show off new jersey numbers at practice

Mike Williams and Preston Smith had their first practice with the Steelers on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers got to work in preparation to take on the Washington Commanders. And they did it with the team’s two newest members on the field.

Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a pair of trades. The Steelers worked a deal with the New York Jets for wide receiver Mike Williams. They also made a trade with the Green Bay Packers to land outside linebacker Preston Smith. Both guys were on the practice field and showing off their new jersey numbers at practice.

 

Williams will wear No. 18, the same number he wore with the Jets. Williams started his career with the Los Angeles Chargers and wore No. 81 but that number was already taken by tight end MyCole Pruitt.

Smith will wear No. 91. This is the same number he has worn throughout his career.

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Can Calvin Austin fend off the newly acquired Mike Williams for WR2?

The Steelers’ acquisition of WR Mike Williams from the Jets complicated Calvin Austin’s breakout and bid for WR2.

2024 has truly been one of the most exciting times to be a Pittsburgh Steelers fan! From acquiring prominent players in free agency to breaking the Steel City norm with several huge trades, Pittsburgh fans have every reason to love what they’re seeing from their team and the Steelers front office.

However, one Steelers WR, who seemingly broke out in the team’s Week 8 victory, may need to continue his dominance to fend off the newly acquired WR Mike Williams.

WR Calvin Austin III tore through the New York Giants’ secondary and special teams in Week 8, recording 54 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown on just three receptions, as well as shifting the momentum for his team with a 73-yard punt return touchdown.

After his two-touchdown night, fans assumed Austin could step in as the team’s WR2 moving forward. However, when the New York Jets traded Williams to Pittsburgh, it complicated matters for Austin’s offensive involvement.

Can Austin coexist with Williams as potential WR2-A and WR2-B? Or will Mike Tomlin have another “good” problem on his hands with yet another elite positional battle?

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PFF Steelers teases big things for Russell Wilson’s new target, Mike Williams

Move over, George Pickens. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new contested target king in their latest wide receiver acquisition, Mike Williams.

Move over, George Pickens. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new contested target king in their latest wide receiver acquisition, Mike Williams.

Though Steelers Nation seemed mixed in their responses to the Williams trade, Pro Football Focus seems to think that Pittsburgh has a potential play-maker on its hands.

According to a tweet from PFF PIT, Williams has a 94.1 receiving grade (third), 91 receptions (second) and 1,495 yards (second) on contested targets since 2018

What should add to Williams’ contested targets success is his new quarterback, Russell Wilson.

Per Brooke Pryor, Steelers insider for ESPN, Wilson is tied with the New York Jets’ Aaron Rodgers for the most aggressive, tight-window throws (48) in the league since the stat started being tracked in 2016.

Wilson completed 4-of-11 tight-window attempts for a league-leading 112 yards and a touchdown to George Pickens in two games since returning to action.

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Jets WR Davante Adams has to dust the Cardinals in the desert

Jets WR Davante Adams has to dust the Cardinals in the desert

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams needs a repeat performance from week nine if his team is going to beat the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10. Adams will have opportunities to win versus man coverage and must be a serviceable target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to target on the outside.

Adams tallied seven receptions, 91 yards, and a touchdown in a win versus the Houston Texans last Thursday night. With a time of possession total of just 26:18, the Jets yielded three passing touchdowns and Rodgers only failed on 10 of his 32 pass attempts.

 

However, five punts were the result of stalled drives and a third-down conversion rate of just 41 percent. Adams and the Jets offense can’t get caught up in the same lack of execution versus the Cardinals (5-4). Instead, the Jets (3-6) must neutralize the blitz by opting for the quick pass, and this means using three-step drops where Rodgers has struggled this season.

If the Jets are going to win, Adams or teammate Garrett Wilson will need to keep the offense ahead of the chains. A reliance on the Jets wide receivers to win at the line of scrimmage and produce yards after the catch will be pivotal.

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