Chargers bring back Mike Williams, agree to deals with two defensive linemen
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Mike Williams is running a comeback route.
A year after he was released by the Chargers, the team announced Wednesday night it agreed to terms with the wide receiver. Williams will return on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, according to Fox Sports.
The signing livened up what started as a slow free agency period for the Chargers. After re-signing seven players within their first 11 roster moves this week, the Chargers kicked into gear by adding defensive tackles Da’Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones on Thursday. Hand will join on a one-year deal worth up to $3.35 million, according to NFL media, while Jones also agreed to a one-year contract, agent Mike McCartney posted on social media.
The Chargers are bringing back versatile linebacker Troy Dye on a two-year deal and veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman on a one-year deal.
A first-round pick in 2017, Williams caught 309 passes for 4,806 yards in seven seasons with the Chargers. But they released him to save $20 million in their effort to become salary-cap compliant. He signed with the New York Jets, but the pairing with star quarterback Aaron Rodgers never blossomed and he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers at midseason. Despite playing 18 games he caught just 21 passes for 298 yards.
The Chargers have been looking for help on offense during free agency but struck out with other top receiver targets during the initial flurry of signings. Pass-catching tight end Evan Engram signed with the Denver Broncos on Wednesday. Chris Godwin re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Davante Adams chose the Rams.
After 32-year-old DeAndre Hopkins signed with the Baltimore Ravens for a reported one-year, $6-million contract, Williams’ position in the market became clearer. The veteran receiver missed all but three games in 2023 after a season-ending knee injury and is coming off his quietest season not shortened by injury since his rookie campaign.
But the 6-foot-4, 218-pound Williams still can be a potent deep threat for the Chargers, who are looking for a reliable counterpart to Ladd McConkey. McConkey set franchise rookie records with 82 catches for 1,149 yards.
Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said after the Chargers’ season-ending playoff loss that his offseason goal would be to support quarterback Justin Herbert. Reinforcements could come in a variety of areas, Hortiz stressed.
Adding Hand and Jones will help rebuild a defense that gave up the fewest points per game last season. The unit was the most consistent defensive counterpart Herbert has had in his five-year career with the Chargers and now will rely on its new defensive signings to overcome the loss of tackle Poona Ford, who signed with the Rams on a three-year deal.
Hand, 29, had a career-best 31 tackles with five tackles for loss last year with the Miami Dolphins.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris reportedly agrees to a one-year, $9.25-million deal with the Chargers, but will J.K. Dobbins return?
Jones played 12 games for the Arizona Cardinals after beginning the season with the Dolphins. The 6-foot-3, 313-pound lineman had a career-best three sacks, including one against the Chargers on “Monday Night Football” in October when they were held without a touchdown and rushed for only 59 yards.
Williams and running back Najee Harris have been the Chargers’ only additions at the skill positions while re-signing center Bradley Bozeman stands as the lone offensive line move. The team re-signed backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke on Thursday. After beating out incumbent backup Easton Stick, Heinicke will return on a one-year deal worth up to $6.2 million, according to multiple reports.
The Chargers will lose receiver Joshua Palmer, who signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, and tight end Stone Smartt, who will go to the Jets on a one-year deal, NFL media reported Thursday. The 26-year-old tight end flashed his pass-catching potential with 208 yards on 16 catches last season but was a restricted free agent after the Chargers did not tender him a contract, instead retaining the exclusive rights to fellow tight end Tucker Fisk.
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