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Kris Rhim, ESPN
The Los Angeles Chargers released wide receiver Mike Williams, a source told Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
The move saves the Chargers $20 million this year while incurring a dead money charge of $12.46 million. League rules require the Chargers to be under the league’s $255.4 million salary cap by 4 p.m. ET Wednesday. Williams’ release makes them salary cap compliant.
The Chargers selected Williams with the No. 7 pick in the 2017 NFL draft. In seven seasons, Williams, known for his contested catch ability, formed one of the league’s best receiver tandems with Keenan Allen. The Chargers rewarded him with a three-year $60 million contract in 2022.
But the past two seasons for Williams have been marred with injury. Wiliams fractured his back on a hit in the final minutes of the Chargers’ regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos in the 2022 season, forcing him to miss the wild-card playoff loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
When Williams returned this season, he looked like the player the Chargers had invested in, and in Week 3, he appeared to be on his way to a career day, with 121 yards and a touchdown through the third quarter. But with two minutes remaining, Williams made a juke on his left knee that resulted in a torn ACL. He missed the remainder of the season.
Williams, 29, has 309 receptions for 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns in his career.