The Los Angeles Chargers declared on Wednesday their decision to release veteran wide receiver Mike Williams in order to comply with the salary cap for the 2024 season.
According to reports, Williams’ departure allows the Chargers to free up $20 million in salary cap space. However, the team will still be burdened with $12.46 million in dead cap space due to his release.
The decision to part ways with Williams was deemed essential for the Chargers, as they were required to fall below the $255.4 million salary cap threshold by 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, consequently making Williams a free agent.
Despite making headlines earlier this offseason with the hiring of Jim Harbaugh as their new head coach, the Los Angeles Chargers faced the reality of needing to make tough roster decisions due to their substantial salary cap overage.
Among these decisions, the Chargers released veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks, who promptly signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Additionally, they allowed Austin Ekeler to depart for the Washington Commanders in free agency.
However, the Chargers managed to renegotiate Khalil Mack’s contract for the 2024 season, creating more cap room and retaining him on the team. They also bolstered their roster by signing running back Gus Edwards, tight end Will Dissly, and safety Alohi Gilman.
Mike Williams, drafted seventh overall by the Chargers in the 2017 NFL Draft, had been a cornerstone of the team’s receiving corps alongside Keenan Allen.
Renowned for his prowess in contested catches, Williams showcased his talent with a breakout performance in 2019, amassing 1,001 yards on just 49 receptions with two touchdowns, leading the league with an impressive 20.4 yards per catch.
Following his stellar 2021 season, where he achieved career highs with 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns on 76 catches, the Chargers honored Mike Williams with a lucrative three-year contract worth $60 million prior to the commencement of the 2022 season.
However, Williams’ performance took a hit due to injuries. A fractured back suffered during the team’s regular-season finale in 2022 sidelined him for the Chargers’ disappointing wild-card loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He managed to appear in only 13 games that season before succumbing to the injury.
In 2023, Williams started strong, amassing 249 yards on 19 receptions with a touchdown in the first three weeks.
Unfortunately, his season came to an abrupt end when he tore his ACL, sparking uncertainties about his future with the team as they approached the offseason.
Williams now enters free agency for the first time in his career after spending seven seasons with the Chargers. Throughout his tenure, he made his mark with 309 receptions for 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns in 88 regular-season games.
