Mike Williams informs Chargers of his Retirement
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The former No. 7 pick's sudden retirement at 30
Mike Williams, the former Chargers wide receiver selected seventh overall in 2017, is walking away from football at 30 after eight seasons that promised more than they delivered.
Williams' agent informed the Chargers Wednesday night of the decision, shocking an organization that had just re-signed him to a one-year deal this offseason. He'd been working off to the side during training camp activities due to an undisclosed injury.
In 106 career games, Williams caught 330 passes for 5,104 yards and 32 touchdowns — respectable production, but hardly transformative for a top-10 pick. His best season came in 2021 with 1,146 receiving yards, when he was essentially a complementary piece to Keenan Allen rather than a franchise-changing talent.
He led the NFL with 20.4 yards per reception in 2019, showcasing the deep-threat ability that made him such an attractive draft prospect. Back issues plagued his rookie season. A torn ACL limited him to three games in 2023, during which he'd started hot with 249 yards and a touchdown before the injury struck against Minnesota.
His forgettable 2024 season with the Jets and Steelers — just 298 yards across 18 games. The Jets traded him mid-season for a fifth-round pick, hardly a ringing endorsement of his remaining value.
Williams signed a four-year, $19.74 million fully guaranteed rookie contract in 2017. The Chargers exercised his fifth-year option, investing significant resources in a player who never quite justified the expenditure. His recent one-year return to Los Angeles was likely a prove-it deal for both sides.
