Mike Williams Trade Grades: Who Came Out on Top – Steelers or Jets?
Leading up to the 2024 NFL trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Steelers were anticipated to pursue a wide receiver. They have now made that move.
On the eve of Tuesday’s trade deadline, the Steelers secured a deal to bring Mike Williams from the New York Jets in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, as reported by several sources.
The 6’4″, 218-pound receiver presents a significant downfield target for quarterback Russell Wilson, who has been limited in his options aside from George Pickens. Meanwhile, the Jets have parted ways with a player they signed as a free agent, who struggled to connect with Aaron Rodgers, resulting in only 12 receptions for 166 yards this season.
Here’s how the trade impacted both teams.
Mike Williams Trade Analysis
Steelers Report Card: C+
While a fifth-round pick isn’t a heavy price to pay, it’s still a cost for just nine games of service. The Steelers are looking to enhance their passing game, especially with Wilson stepping in for Justin Fields, but it’s uncertain how much impact a 30-year-old receiver who has struggled in adapting to a new system after recovering from an ACL injury can bring. Wilson may need to rely on Williams for contested catches, which could cater to the former Chargers star’s abilities. It remains to be seen if Mike Tomlin and the Steelers can unlock the full potential of this talented pass catcher, but it appears unlikely that this move will significantly boost their competitiveness against the top teams in the AFC.
Jets Report Card: B-
The fact that the Jets were unable to integrate Williams into their last-ditch effort to remain relevant in the playoff race illustrates the disconnect between him and the team. However, general manager Joe Douglas was at least able to recover some value from the regrettable one-year, $15 million contract handed to Williams in the offseason. With Allen Lazard on injured reserve until early December, the Jets will rely heavily on Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams moving forward, a situation they would have faced regardless of Williams’s status.
