The Chargers will exercise their 2021 fifth-year option on wide receiver Mike Williams, according to Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link).
Because Williams was a top-10 pick in the 2017 draft, his fifth-year option salary will be equal to that of the 2020 transition tag number for wideouts. That figure comes out $15.68MM, so Williams will see quite an increase over his 2019 cap charge of $6.374MM.
Williams’ fifth-year option will be guaranteed for injury only, so the Chargers will have the option to release him at the end of the 2020 campaign, provided he’s not dealing with medical questions. Starting in 2022, fifth-year options will become fully guaranteed, but Williams is part of the last draft class without that level of financial protection.
After barely contributing as a rookie, Williams posted 43 receptions for 664 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2018. While his receiving yardage (barely) cleared the 1,000-yard threshold in 2019, Williams was hit by touchdown regression, and only found the end zone twice.
Depending on how Los Angeles handles’ its quarterback situation, Williams will be catching passes from either Tyrod Taylor or first-round pick Justin Herbert in 2020. He’ll be part of a pass-catching group that also includes Keenan Allen, Hunter Henry, and Austin Ekeler.
Problem for the Chargers has always been oline.
When the oline is healthy and playing well Chargers did well. When it was injured and not playing well they played poorly.
Allen Williams Ekeler and now KJ Hill Tyrod has some weapons. Williams averaged 20+ yards a catch.
Don’t forget about Henry! The offensive line should see some significant improvement with the acquisitions of Turner and Bulaga. The only weak link up front is Tevi provided everyone stays healthy.
The defense also got exponentially better with Murray, Harris, and Joseph. That secondary in particular looks deadly.
Herbert will have his inconsistencies, but provided the coaching staff stays patient, I could see the Bolts bouncing back and challenging for a wild card. Remember, this team won 12 games in 2018 and had an expected win total of 8 in a down year according to PFR
Mark it down. Terrible move. In a world where Robby Anderson gets 2 Yrs $20M? Mike Williams is an injury risk given his broken neck in college and contested catch downfield WR in a league that values separation. Chargers should’ve declined the option with the focus on extending Bosa.
Very strange decision. There’s no way the Chargers wouldn’t be able to resign Williams for about half of that in a year.