The Chargers are parting ways with a veteran playmaker.
Wide receiver Mike Williams is being released after seven seasons, the Chargers announced Wednesday, with the move expected to save the Chargers $20 million this year, according to multiple reports.
Williams, who potentially could be a target for the Jets who are in need of wide receiver help, originally signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Chargers in March 2022 and will now count as a dead cap hit of $12.46 million, per Spotrac.
The 29-year-old has spent his entire NFL career with the Chargers, who selected him with the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Clemson.
Though Williams most recently eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in 2021, he has struggled to remain healthy in the last two seasons.
He appeared in 13 games in 2022 and missed the Chargers’ wild-card playoff loss to the Jaguars in January 2023 due to a lower back fracture.
Williams’ 2023 campaign was cut short in September after he suffered an ACL tear.
Through seven seasons, Williams has 309 receptions, 4,806 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns.
With Williams hitting the market, he becomes one of the more intriguing wide receiver options available, in addition to Calvin Ridley and Marquise Brown.
Williams isn’t the only Chargers playmaker who hit the market this week.
Running back Austin Ekeler agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million with the Commanders earlier this week.
The Chargers are, however, retaining Pro Bowl linebacker Khalil Mack, who agreed to restructure his contract, according to reports.
The team is starting anew under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, who was hired in January following his national championship win with the Michigan Wolverines.
The Chargers fired Brandon Staley in December following an ugly 63-21 blowout loss to the Raiders that dropped Los Angeles to 5-9.
