5 Things to Remember About Chargers WR Mike Williams

The wide receiver makes his return to the Bolts, where he played his first seven seasons

Mar 12, 2025 at 07:02 PM

Omar Navarro

Jr. Writer

A familiar name has come back to the Bolts.

The Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday agreed to terms with wide receiver Mike Williams.

Here are five things to remember about Williams:

1. In the franchise history books

Williams returns to the place he began his career.

The veteran wide receiver was drafted with the No. 7 overall pick by the Chargers in 2017 NFL Draft as he was the second wide receiver taken in his class.

And in terms of the franchise record books, Williams made his mark in his seven seasons donning the powder blue.

Williams is 10^th all-time on the Chargers franchise receiving yards list with 4,806 yards. He also is 13^th in receptions (309) and touchdowns (31).

From the memorable moments to one of the most notorious players in Bolts history is back — and now has a chance to perhaps move his way up the record books.

2. One of No. 10's top targets

It won't be hard for Williams to find a rapport with quarterback Justin Herbert.

Williams was one of Herbert's favorite targets since the quarterback entered the league in 2020.

In fact, the wide receiver has caught 18 touchdown passes from Herbert which is good for the second-most of any receiver No. 10 has played with.

The top six receiving yardage total games of Williams' career have also come with Herbert under center, including an eight reception, 165-yard and two-touchdown day in 2021.

In the four seasons the two played with another, Williams had 187 receptions for 2,797 yards in 44 games.

He's also proven to be someone Herbert trusts on downfield shots, as he averaged 15.0 yards per reception in those four seasons together.

1 / 29

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (18) warms up before playing against the Denver Broncos in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

2 / 29

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (18) runs a route during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

3 / 29

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams (18), defended by Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (25), pulls in a 32-yard reception for a touchdown 'during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

4 / 29

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams runs a route against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

5 / 29

6 / 29

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams plays during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

7 / 29

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams (18) signals for a first down after a reception during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)

8 / 29

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams (18) is introduced before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

9 / 29

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams (18) questions a call during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

10 / 29

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams (18) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

11 / 29

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams (18) attempts to catch a pass in front of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during an NFL football game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)

12 / 29

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams (18) looks on during pre-game warm-ups before an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

13 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 30 - CLE 28]

Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers

14 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 30 - CLE 28]

Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers

15 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Houston Texans on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. [FINAL SCORE: LAC XX - HOU XX]

Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers

16 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 30 - CLE 28]

Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers

17 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Denver Broncos on Monday, October 17, 2022 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 19 - DEN 16]

Mackenzie Hudson/Los Angeles Chargers

18 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, January 1, 2023 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 31 - LAR 10]

Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers

19 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. [FINAL SCORE: TEN 27 - LAC 24]

Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers

20 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, December 26, 2022 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 20 - IND 3]

Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers

21 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Denver Broncos on Monday, October 17, 2022 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 19 - DEN 16]

Noel Vasquez/Los Angeles Chargers

22 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Denver Broncos on Sunday, January 8, 2023 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. [FINAL SCORE: DEN 31 - LAC 28]

Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers

23 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, October 23, 2022 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: SEA 37 - LAC 23]

Mackenzie Hudson/Los Angeles Chargers

24 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 23 - MIA 17]

Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers

25 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, January 1, 2023 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 31 - LAR 10]

Mackenzie Hudson/Los Angeles Chargers

26 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 28 - MIN 24]

Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers

27 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. [FINAL SCORE: TEN 27 - LAC 24]

Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers

28 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 28 - MIN 24]

Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers

29 / 29

The Los Angeles Chargers play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, January 1, 2023 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. [FINAL SCORE: LAC 31 - LAR 10]

Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers

Advertising

This Ad will close in 3

3. Contested catch winner

Those who watched Williams' first seven years of his career know that sometimes good coverage is not enough.

The receiver has built the reputation as one of the best contested catch players in the league, grabbing double-digit contested catches in five of his seven seasons in the powder blue according to Pro Football Focus. That includes 2021, where his 21 contested catches were the second-most among all wide receivers in the NFL.

And it's not like he hasn't been effective in those scenarios with a contested catch percentage of 50 percent or better in six out of his seven seasons with the Bolts.

He's effective at getting down the field and winning, as from 2018 to 2022, Williams gained 421 receiving yards over expected on vertical routes, the third-most in the NFL in that timespan, according to Next Gen Stats.

Not to mention, the receiver has also provided Chargers fans with some memorable moments in the clutch.

Williams caught seven go-ahead touchdowns with the Chargers from 2017 to 2023, which tied for second-most in the NFL during that timespan.

4. Back after a year away

Williams returns to the Bolts after a 2024 season with multiple teams.

The 30-year-old receiver spent time in both New York and Pittsburgh, becoming one of the few players in the modern era to play 18 regular season games after being traded midseason.

He finished the 2024 season with 21 catches for 298 yards and a touchdown, which was a go-ahead score he caught in his first game with the Steelers.

5. CFP National Champion

Of course, who could forget how Williams became one of the top picks of his class.

The Clemson product was a star for the Tigers from 2013 to 2016, earning All-ACC honors twice and finishing his collegiate career with 177 receptions for 2,727 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Those totals were good for third in receiving touchdowns, fourth in receiving yards and fifth in receptions in program history.

He closed out his college career on a high note with 98 receptions (second-most in a season in school history) and 1,361 receiving yards (third-most in school history) while on his way to a National Championship win.