Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams has announced his retirement from the NFL at age 30. His agent, Tory Dandy, informed the team’s general manager, Joe Ortiz, on Wednesday night—just hours before the Chargers became the first NFL team to open training camp on Thursday.
Williams had signed a one-year, $6 million contract in mid-March to return for a second stint with the Chargers. He was placed on the physically unable to perform list earlier this week due to an undisclosed injury and decided to retire two days later.
Quarterback Justin Herbert expressed sympathy, saying, “It’s obviously a tough situation. Football is a game, but there’s more to life than just football. I’m hoping for the best for him.” Safety Derwin James added that while the news wasn’t entirely shocking, he would have loved to have Williams playing alongside him.
Coach Jim Harbaugh did not comment on Williams’ retirement during his media session Thursday. Herbert praised Williams for his leadership and work ethic, saying, “Mike has always done a great job showing up and working hard. He’s been an excellent leader and teammate. It’s definitely tough to replace a guy like that. There aren’t many players like Mike, and we’re going to miss him.”
Drafted seventh overall by the Chargers in 2017, Williams had an eight-year NFL career that included stops with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024. Over his career, he totaled 330 receptions, 5,104 receiving yards, and 32 touchdown catches.
Williams’ professional debut was delayed due to a back injury that sidelined him for the first six games of his rookie season. He also missed time later due to a knee injury. In 2021, Williams and Herbert developed strong chemistry, with Williams posting career highs in receptions (76), targets (129), yards (1,146), and touchdowns (nine). This success led to a $60 million, three-year contract extension with the Chargers.
Injuries continued to impact Williams’ career. He suffered a back fracture in 2022 that kept him out of the Chargers’ playoff game and endured a season-ending ACL tear in Week 3 of the 2023 season, after which he was released.
Williams then signed a one-year deal with the Jets but faced criticism after a key mistake in a game against Buffalo. Last November, the Jets traded him to the Steelers, where he finished the season with a combined 21 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown between the two teams.
Before his professional career, Williams helped Clemson secure the national championship in 2017. Notably, in 2015, he suffered a broken neck after hitting a goalpost while catching a touchdown pass.
In other team news, wide receiver Tre’ Harris ended a brief holdout and signed with the Chargers on Thursday. Harris was a second-round pick out of Mississippi. Additionally, the Chargers signed tackle Ryan Nelson from the United Football League. Nelson, a Virginia alumnus from nearby Buena Park, started 22 of 28 games for the Michigan Panthers over the past three years, including a league championship appearance last season.
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