The Pittsburgh Steelers needed another wide receiver behind George Pickens since the team decided to trade Diontae Johnson for Donte Jackson in the 2024 offseason. The fan base was sold on the franchise getting a star receiver like Brandon Aiyuk, Davante Adams or even Cooper Kupp many times throughout the year. Instead, the Steelers traded for New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams just hours before the 2024 NFL trade deadline after Week 9.

Williams, a former seventh overall draft pick, spent the first seven years of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers. He quickly became a threatening playmaker and one of the best-contested pass-catchers in the league. Williams caught 31 touchdowns with the Chargers, 10 of which came in his second season. Williams also had two separate 1,000-yard seasons in Los Angeles before he would suffer an ACL tear in 2023 that would end his tenure with the Chargers.  

Despite the Steelers’ one of their best starts in recent memory, at 6-2, the wide receiver issue remained. Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III have had their moments but lack consistency. Williams’ addition to the Steelers’ offense should provide more problems for opposing defenses, and Pickens reminded the league of that after Friday’s practice.