Mike Williams Released by Chargers, Saves Team $20M in 2024 NFL Salary-Cap Space

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After speculation about Mike Williams’ contract being too hefty this offseason, the Los Angeles Chargers announced Wednesday they released the wide receiver.

The move will save the Chargers $20 million against the salary cap in 2024 while putting them on the hook for $12.5 million in dead money, per Spotrac.

For first-year general manager Joe Hortiz, the bill from his predecessor’s big spending came due. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported earlier this offseason that Williams was among the players Los Angeles would “love to find trade partners” for amid the team’s need for salary-cap relief. At the time of Graziano’s report, the Chargers were $21.1 million over the cap.

A prominent star would have to go because Hortiz had no other choice. Williams was arguably the most logical candidate to release outright if a suitably attractive trade offer for him or edge-rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa failed to materialize.

Williams’ 2023 campaign was cut short by a torn ACL suffered in Week 3. He finished the season with 13 catches for 249 yards and a touchdown.

It was just three years ago that Williams posted career highs of 76 receptions and 1,146 yards while adding nine touchdowns. Los Angeles rewarded him with a three-year, $60 million extension prior to the 2022 season, but his numbers dipped to 63 catches for 895 yards and four touchdowns.

The seventh pick in the 2017 draft, he is known for his deep-threat ability. He has a career average of 15.6 yards per catch, so he’d be a welcome addition to a lot of different aerial attacks.

Among the wideouts still available, Williams is perhaps now the best on the board.