Tag: Mike Williams

QB Russell Wilson describes what makes WR Mike Williams special

Russell Wilson is excited about what Mike Williams can bring to the Steelers offense as they prepare for his debut in Pittsburgh.

While Pittsburgh Steelers fans are understandably excited to witness what WR Mike Williams is capable of in the Pittsburgh offense, it appears Steelers QB Russell Wilson already knows what to expect—greatness.

Wilson, speaking during the team’s media availability on Thursday, responded to a question about how Williams’s impressive athletic qualities can help the team moving forward. “I think those are all truths,” Wilson stated. “I think when you look out there and realize the guy is 6’5″, can run the way he can, jump up and catch the ball, run past people, and he’s physical even in the short game.”

Wilson gave the most impressive compliment a quarterback could ever give a receiver: “He’s just a guy who’s been really special over the years.”

It’s safe to say the Steelers’ QB is more than excited to get Williams onto the field for his Pittsburgh debut, and fans of the Black and Gold may be in for an absolute masterclass once the Wilson-Williams combination takes off.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers OC Arthur Smith reveals additional weapon for ground game

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new wrinkle to add to the ground game, and his name is Mike Williams.

When Arthur Smith was brought to the Pittsburgh Steelers as the new offensive coordinator, there was a lot of talk about the team returning to their roots as a run-heavy offense.

The Steelers are slowly getting back to it since the threat of Russell Wilson as a passer provides more opportunities to run the ball.

And now, Pittsburgh has a new wrinkle to add to the ground game, and his name is Mike Williams.

“Mike’s a big receiver. He’s made a lot of 50/50 catches,” Smith told the media on Thursday. “Big presence in the run game. We’ll see where it goes. Hopefully, he’s value added.”

According to Pro Football Focus premium stats (subscription), Williams has 1,504 run-blocking snaps in his 10-year career. He’s had minimal success as a runner. Williams’ best season was in 2018, when he ran seven times for 28 yards and a touchdown.

Williams said after his first day of practice on Wednesday, he was utilized often and everywhere. “I had a pretty good day today; I’ve been in quite a bit. I was moving around everywhere. I’m trying to learn as much as possible. You never know what can happen, people move, things change. So, I’m just learning all the positions. I got some reps with Russ, also. So, keep building the rest of the week and see where we are on Sunday.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

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.’

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

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?

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]