Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams has come to a multi-year agreement worth over $60 million as reported by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on Tuesday. The contract also includes $40 million guaranteed upon signing, Rapoport added.
“It was a rough start,” Williams referred to how he started his NFL career. “First year not being able to do the things I wanted to do because of the back. But I felt like, after that, I kinda just believed in myself, the people around me and continued to get better.”
The 27-year old WR has made great achievements and is certainly from the support of others as well.
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Williams is confirmed not headed to the free agency. Instead, the veteran wideout is confirmed to stay with the Chargers.
“I’m excited. Ever since I came here, I felt like they trusted me,” Williams said on Wednesday’s video conference of NFL Now. “I kind of expected it, but everything was kind of up in the air.”
The deal was completed on Tuesday as the team participated in announcing the news. The Chargers is the only team with two wide receivers averaging $20 million per year.
“Everything worked out on both ends. I wasn’t too concerned about the deadline approaching because we were going to keep fighting until the end,” William added.
Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have big plans for next season … and that’s to turn up lol #Chargers pic.twitter.com/6rY5ZTVqqf
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) March 9, 2022
He has been averaging 16.8 yards per reception for the past three seasons. He finished last season with 76 receptions for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns.
“That was what [head] coach [Brandon] Staley and the group wanted me to do: showcase everything that I can do in my game the short routes getting the ball in my hands in space and making plays happen with my legs,” the former Clemson Tigers player added.
“That’s kind of what the group wanted me to do. They wanted me to be a playmaker, and I was able to showcase that.”
Williams’ instrumental progress was not without guidance. He has several people to thank in this matter.
People behind Williams’ greatness
Under head coach Brandon Staley and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, Williams’ role expanded exponentially in 2021 and Williams thank them for that.
“I’m very grateful for that,” Williams said. “I tell them that all the time. I always tell them, ‘Thank you. I appreciate you’ because, I mean, without them, I probably wouldn’t be in this situation.”
Mike Williams said being with Justin Herbert was a big part of why he wanted to stay with the #Chargers: “Just to be with a quarterback who’s a franchise quarterback and who’s able to get me the ball, that was huge."
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) March 9, 2022
Williams believes that without their influence, the signing of this contract will not even happen. He also appointed fellow Quarterback, Justin Herbert as a part of his motivation to stay with the Chargers.
“Oh, that’s big,” the South Carolina native said in regards to Herbert. “That was a big part of it too, just to be with a quarterback who’s a franchise quarterback and able to do the things he’s able to do and get me the ball, that was huge.”
Becoming the fourth-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL, he admitted that his mother was the first person he shared the news to. Obviously, his mother is one of the people he wanted to give thanks to for supporting him.
Meanwhile, Williams’s journey began, and hopefully, he could remain his contribution to the team as expected.
“Improve in everything,” Williams noted. “I feel like every offseason I try to get better in every part of my game. Blocking, running routes, catching balls but yeah, get better at everything.”