HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 02: Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after making a catch in the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
An interesting NFC team is reportedly worth monitoring in the Mike Williams free agency sweepstakes.
On Wednesday afternoon, just before the start of the new league year at 4:00 p.m. EST, the Los Angeles Chargers released the veteran wideout in cap-saving move. As noted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the release of Williams cleared $20 million in cap space for the Bolts.
After seven seasons together, the Chargers are releasing WR Mike Williams, per source. The move will save the Chargers $20 million against their cap and Williams will become a free agent. pic.twitter.com/okV2GrLCRz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2024
Williams, fellow wide receiver Keenan Allen and star pass-rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa were all mentioned as possible cut or trade candidates heading into Wednesday. Of that four, Williams is the only one who’s been let go by the Chargers.
According to CBS NFL insider Jonathan Jones, the Chicago Bears are a possible landing spot for Williams. ones noted that new Bears wide receivers coach Chris Beatty previously worked with Williams in Los Angeles:
One landing spot that could make sense is Chicago. The Bears have the money, and there's familiarity there with former Chargers WR coach Chris Beatty now leading that position in Chicago https://t.co/iDfZK7vGQk
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) March 13, 2024
I'll remember #81 for a lot of things: he was an exemplary Charger who fought his ass off all the time and played through as much as his body would let him.
No better encapsulation of him than a Thursday night in December 2018 we all shared.💙
Thank you, Mike Williams. pic.twitter.com/WKvZQf7pfd
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) March 13, 2024
The Bears are widely expected to use the first overall pick in next month’s draft (via the Carolina Panthers) on USC quarterback Caleb Williams. The Bears already have a nice set of playmakers in superstar wideout D.J. Moore and RBs Khalil Herbert and D’Andre Swift (signed in free agency), but they could use another pass-catcher to bolster the passing game.
So Williams makes sense as a target for the Bears. The deep threat specialist and contested catch artist has two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, including a career-high 1,146 yards in the 2021 season.
