Despite weeks of trade speculation, Mike Williams might end up sticking in New York. League sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that the Jets could end up hanging on to the veteran wide receiver through the trade deadline.
The Jets have been linked to a Williams trade for nearly a month, and the speculation naturally ramped up after the organization acquired All-Pro receiver Davante Adams. Williams was limited to only 19 snaps during Adams’ team debut in Week 7, and it was clear the offseason acquisition was on the outside looking in.
However, things changed quickly. Allen Lazard‘s injury has landed him on IR, leading to Williams garnering the third-most snaps at the position (behind Adams and Garrett Wilson) over the past two games. That uptick in playing time hasn’t led to an increase in production, as Williams has been limited to only a single catch over those two contests, but the Jets are clearly still comfortable throwing him out there.
As Fowler notes, Williams’ fate could be tied to the progress of the team’s other wideouts. Xavier Gipson has seen an inconsistent role during his sophomore campaign, and Malachi Corley made headlines the other night for his dropped-touchdown debacle. The organization could also turn to practice squad WR Jason Brownlee, who made a name for himself during the 2023 training camp.
Of course, Williams’ roster status will also be dependent on trade suitors. The 30-year-old has generated interest from the Steelers, Saints and Chargers, and while the Jets face an uphill battle to make the playoffs, they’re not going to give the veteran away for free. With only $2.3M remaining on his contract, Williams doesn’t break the bank, so the Jets could ultimately decide to just stick with the veteran despite the underwhelming output.
