The Chargers have Mike Williams tied to a fifth-year option in 2021, but the former top-10 pick is on schedule to be a free agent come March. The sides may be content to revisit this issue after the season.
A Williams extension is not expected to commence this year, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler (ESPN+ link). While the Bolts have exclusive negotiating rights with Williams until the start of the 2022 legal tampering period, the former Clemson standout could become a marquee free agent in 2022.
Williams has battled injuries as a pro but has only missed two games over the past two seasons. He led the NFL with a 20.4-yard per-reception average in 2019 and totaled 756 receiving yards last season. With Justin Herbert going through a full offseason and the Bolts investing in several new offensive linemen, Williams could be poised for a big contract year. With Hunter Henry now in New England, the coast is clear for the former No. 7 overall pick to serve as Herbert’s clear-cut No. 2 weapon behind Keenan Allen. Considering Herbert’s historic rookie year, that status could provide a major boost for Williams’ value entering 2022.
Allen, 29, is signed through 2024 on a $20MM-per-year deal. The four-time Pro Bowler’s contract complicates Williams’ status, but the Chargers would still have the franchise tag to use if they are keen on keeping their receiving tandem together for at least another season while they determine the latter’s long-term value. The Buccaneers went this route with Chris Godwin this year, keeping their high-end wideout duo intact, and it would not surprise if the Bolts chose to follow suit with Herbert’s rookie contract in place through at least 2022.
Hey Dean notice how nobody cares? It’s truly sad what you have done.
This guy has so much potential but seems often injured … has made some amazing catches but seems he may not put it all together
The odd thing about Williams is how he can have so many spectacular catches interspersed with so many drops. Williams is huge and plays with his size well, but also has inconsistent hands. He should be one of the game’s best vertical threats, but he just isn’t reliable enough at this point.
Mike Williams had three drops at a 3.5% drop rate and no fumbles last year. I would hardly consider that “so many drops”.
You’re right, last year was good. I should have acknowledged that. But other than that, he’s had two injury shortened years that did have issues turning targets into catches that top receivers don’t have that management is considering, his short rookie year and a shaky 2018. Personally I wouldn’t have as much of a problem extending him, due to what he showed last year with a new QB and mostly his 1000 yard campaign in 2019.
But he did have a couple of high profile drops last year, like the game-winner in the Raiders game. His catch rate is only 56.5%, as well, so maybe I should say “not catching as many as he should” rather than “drop”. Thing is with Williams, he doesn’t really get separation, so he has to out-physical his opponent at the point of the catch, so while many misses aren’t outright drops, but they’re still unproductive. Williams missed balls that we expected him to catch when watching him, because he is capable of making incredible catches frequently. That’s what I’m saying. He shouldn’t be dropping anything. Again, these are not reason enough in my mind to not extend him, but they are reasons why he isn’t thought of as a top ten receiver when he should be. I was really to justify the point of view for a lower level deal than Williams and his agent would likely want.
Knowing the Spanos style, those two knocks (injuries and past drops) will be the justifications for hesitancy come contract time. That’s my prediction.
herbert’s going to have a different year than last with whole stadiums filled with fans. assuming they’re going to be open everywhere with capacity crowds.
The big question is whether a vaccine passport will be required to attend large public events. There is a push in that direction but the NFL hasn’t stated it’s policy on that yet.