Veteran wide receiver Mike Williams has informed the Los Angeles Chargers that he plans to retire after eight seasons, the team announced on Thursday. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft leaves behind a career marked by 5,104 yards and 32 touchdowns. Despite being plagued by injuries throughout his career, including ACL tears and a back injury, Williams was a key player at his peak, with a field-stretching ability that earned him the league’s top catch average in 2019.
Williams’ retirement will impact the Chargers’ receiver room, which is now relatively young. Justin Herbert’s go-to target, Ladd McConkey, and new draft picks Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith are expected to step up their roles. However, the team may consider adding a veteran player, such as free agent Keenan Allen or Amari Cooper, to bolster their receiving corps.
Williams’ career was marked by inconsistency due to injuries, but he showed flashes of brilliance at times, including a 10-touchdown season in 2018 and a league-leading 20.4 yards per catch in 2019. His decision to retire comes after signing a deal with the Chargers this offseason, which seemed promising at first before ultimately leading to his decision to hang up his cleats for good.
Source: https://www.nfl.com/news/chargers-wr-mike-williams-retiring-after-eight-nfl-seasons