Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams is retiring from the NFL after eight seasons, the team announced Thursday.
The 6-foot-4 wideout reunited with the Chargers this offseason after spending last season on the New York Jets before getting traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers midseason. In 18 games, Williams made five starts and hauled in 21 receptions for 298 yards.
whole lotta love 🤟 pic.twitter.com/Rbu4U1doZl
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 17, 2025
The Chargers selected Williams, a Clemson standout, with the No. 7 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. In eight seasons, he accumulated 330 receptions for 5,104 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Williams was one of quarterback Justin Herbert’s all-time favorite targets. The two played together from 2020 to 2023 before Williams left last year.
“I want what’s best for Mike,” Herbert said Thursday of Williams’ retirement. “I’ve got so much respect for him as a teammate, as a friend, as a receiver, as a player and the man that he is. … Football, at the end of the day, is a game. And there’s more to life than just football.”
Herbert said he didn’t sense that Williams might retire when he rejoined the team in June, adding, “It’s always the next man up, and you got to find a way to make it work.”
Williams’ best season came in 2021 when he was targeted a career-high 129 times and amassed 1,146 yards and 76 catches, along with nine touchdowns.
However, in 2023, he suffered a torn ACL in Week 3, marking his last game as a Charger. After rejoining the team this offseason on a one-year, $6 million deal, Los Angeles placed him on the physically unable to perform list, which prevented him from starting training camp. Williams’ deal included a $1.5 million signing bonus that the Chargers could seek some repayment of, if they choose.
Williams’ impact on Chargers
Up until Wednesday night, when general manager Joe Hortiz learned of Williams’ decision from agent Tory Dandy, the Chargers were expecting Williams to carve out a role on offense this season. Although they placed Williams on the PUP list earlier in the week, Hortiz said Wednesday that Williams was merely dealing with a “small” injury he picked up in spring practices.
“He could be out there any day,” Hortiz said.
Obviously, the situation changed. And now the Chargers are in a bit of a predicament at receiver.
“He’s one of those guys that changes the way you play football when he’s on your team,” Herbert said of Williams in June.
Williams not being on the team also changes the way the Chargers will play football. They hoped to attack vertically in the passing game more often this season, and Williams was a part of that plan. — Daniel Popper, Chargers beat writer
Who steps up?
Williams had the potential to be the Chargers’ starting X receiver. Rookie second-round pick Tre Harris remains unsigned and has not yet reported for camp as he continues to negotiate his contract. Harris can be the Chargers’ X receiver, but he is missing incredibly valuable training camp practices as he stays away from the team.
Williams’ retirement puts even more pressure on Harris signing, reporting for camp and being an immediately productive player.
Quentin Johnston and Jalen Reagor return. Fifth-round rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith is in camp. Those are options on the outside. But the Chargers’ depth has taken a considerable hit with Williams walking away from the game. — Popper
(Photo: Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)
