The Los Angeles Chargers made several signings during the first week of NFL free agency. Chargers fans hoped the team would make a huge splash at wide receiver, given the talent available in free agency and trade market.
However, Los Angeles didn’t go after the big names at wide receiver. The Chargers, instead, brought veteran wide receiver Mike Williams on a one-year, $6 million deal.
The 30-year-old wide receiver spent the first seven years of his career with the Chargers, who took him with the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Williams was released by LA last offseason to free up space.
After getting released, he signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the New York Jets. But his time in New York didn’t go well, leading to a trade at the deadline in November to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Williams struggled to find his footing.
With that being said, the veteran receiver is excited to be back with the team and was asked about his former teammate at his introductory press conference on Friday.
“Never wanted to leave on my side, but it's the business part of football and things happen," the veteran receiver said (h/t Bobby Kownack of NFL.com). "Now I'm back, and happy to be back."
As for the former teammate, Williams was asked about a potential reunion with Keenan Allen, who is an unrestricted free agent.
"We ain’t going to speak on that," the veteran wideout said with a laugh. "We ain’t going to talk about that. I’d love that. I would love that."
Mike Williams on Keenan Allen potentially returning to the Chargers: “I would love that. Why not?” Said he still hangs with Keenan “every other day” pic.twitter.com/tG94ssoYOF
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) March 14, 2025
The Chargers could use Williams as the team saw Josh Palmer sign with the Buffalo Bills in free agency. A potential wide receiver trio of Ladd McConkey, Williams, and Quentin Johnston could be formidable in 2025.
However, the Chargers’ WR room could be one of the better units in the AFC with the addition of Allen, who didn’t look like himself in Chicago last season. The Chargers traded Allen to the Bears last offseason, which was another financial move by LA.
Last season with the Bears, Allen recorded 70 receptions (121 targets) for 744 yards and seven touchdowns. If the Chargers and Allen were to reunite, it would likely be on a one-year deal to give flexibility down the road.