Jets hope ex-Charger Mike Williams can be X-factor for offense
Mike Williams has spent his first few months as a Jet as a spectator.
The wide receiver, who signed with the team in March, has been rehabbing his left knee this spring and watching his teammates go through OTA practices then minicamp this week.
“That’s been tough,” Williams said Wednesday. “Just watching those guys every day and wanting to be out there. You don’t want to go too fast. You just want to stick to the schedule, stick to the program and trust the process. That’s my main thing: Trust the process. I’ve seen a lot of progress, so just keep your head down, keep working.”
Williams suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in September with the Chargers.
The injury ended his season, and he has been on the path back since.
The Jets signed Williams to a one-year, $10 million deal in March, hoping he would be able to give them a complement to Garrett Wilson.
The Jets have not put an exact timeline on Williams’ return, but coach Robert Saleh said it will be similar to Breece Hall last year. Hall sat out most of training camp as he returned from an ACL tear.
He practiced in late August and was ready to play in Week 1. Williams said his goal is to be ready for the regular season.
“That’s my goal, to be able to go out there and play the season, give it my all, give this team a chance and win the big thing,” Williams said.
Williams is a bit of an X factor. A healthy and productive Williams can open things up in the offense for all of the team’s playmakers.
“I think he’ll do wonders for all of them,” Saleh said. “I think even for Breece. One, Garrett not getting double-teamed. Two, with the combination of our skill guys and Aaron [Rodgers], you’d like to think you’d see more two-high [coverage], which will open up some of the run game. The faster he gets to full speed, I think it’s just going to be more troublesome for defenses to pinpoint who they want to stop.”
Williams turns 30 in October. Besides his health, there is also a question of whether he can still produce like he did a few years ago for the Chargers. He had 76 catches for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. But those numbers dropped to 63 catches for 895 yards and four touchdowns in 2022.
Williams said he is confident he can help the offense put up points.
“I think I can complement the receiving group well,” Williams said. “I can be that big, physical receiver that can make plays downfield, catch slants or do whatever it takes really. Just getting where I fit in, make plays and get this thing rolling.”
Jets backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor played with Williams with the Chargers. He said earlier this spring that Williams can turn a 50-50 ball into an 80-20 ball.
“For me, I just try to catch every ball that comes my way. That’s the main thing,” Williams said. “The quarterback is giving you an opportunity, just take every opportunity and run with it. That’s my main thing. You don’t know how many opportunities you’re going to get, so every time you get the chance to catch the ball, it doesn’t matter what type of defense or coverage they’re playing against you, just catch the ball.”
For now, all Williams can do is watch and wait. He said he will spend the break before training camp at the Jets facility and won’t go home or on any vacations. Williams will continue with his rehab, hoping to be back on the field soon.
“This is what I do,” Williams said. “I play football. I want to wake up and do it every day. Just not being able to go out there with the guys and do that is frustrating.”
