Source – Steelers trade draft pick for Jets WR Mike Williams

PITTSBURGH – After a months-long search for a wide receiver, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally landed a new addition at the trade deadline, acquiring Mike Williams from the New York Jets in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2025, a source told Adam Schefter on Tuesday .

With Williams, the Steelers added a complement to top wideout George Pickens, who has been a focal point of opposing defenses since the team traded Diontae Johnson to the Panthers for cornerback Donte Jackson in the offseason.

Although the Steelers' passing game has improved since Russell Wilson took over as starting quarterback against Williams' former team, the team still felt like it needed another receiver to round out a group that also included Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller and 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson, who was recently placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

“When called upon, they have the ability to deliver,” coach Mike Tomlin said of what he learned Tuesday about his experience as a wide receiver. “And I just think that with every week that goes by there will be more opportunities to show that, especially as people work schematically to minimize George, it creates a one-on-one opportunity for others.”

“…I just feel like we have a group that is hardworking and capable and can't wait to show those skills to the football world and every time we walk into a stadium they get the opportunity to do that. And you have seen some examples of this already exist.”

At 6-foot-10, Williams is now the tallest wide receiver on the Steelers' roster, and his size and jump-ball ability make him an important, versatile player for a group that features many smaller, quicker players.

The Jets apparently deemed Williams expendable after acquiring Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders on October 15th. However, the Williams move leaves them thin at wide receiver for a few weeks.

That means Xavier Gipson (four catches for 23 yards) will move into the WR3 role until Allen Lazard returns from injured reserve (qualifies in Week 14).

In Week 6, Jets quarterback Rodgers criticized Williams for running the wrong route toward a target, which led to a game-winning interception and a 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills. It's unusual for a quarterback to criticize a receiver in this way. The next morning, the Jets traded Adams, reuniting him with Rodgers, his former Green Bay Packers quarterback.

It's no coincidence that Williams didn't practice for the next two days despite being healthy. One day he didn't show up; The next day he was present at training, but also worked in the rehabilitation area. Williams said he did not practice for “personal reasons.” According to a source, he let the Jets know he was open to a trade.

Williams said it didn't bother him that Rodgers publicly criticized him, although he suggested the two had met in person to discuss it. Because of Lazard's injury, Williams' playing time increased in the last two games, but he was all but ignored in the passing game – just two scores and one catch for six yards.

“Mike's a good guy, he'll be good in the locker room … he's had a nice career and sometimes a change of scenery is great for certain guys,” Rodgers said Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “… We kind of knew that with Davantes coming in, there would be fewer targets for everyone, because G's (Garrett Wilson) leads the league in targets and Tae is a dynamic player, he will achieve his goals. If that gives Mike more opportunities, that’s great and we wish Mike all the best.”

The Jets signed Williams to a one-year, $10 million contract and expected him to become their WR2 once he recovers from ACL surgery. He made it back in time for the season opener but never found a consistent role.

In nine games with the Jets, Williams had just 12 catches for 166 yards and no touchdowns.

Willliams, 30, was released by the Los Angeles Chargers last March after playing seven seasons with them. A first-round pick in 2017, he recorded two 1,000-yard seasons and made 309 receptions for 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns. He tore his ACL in Week 3 last season.

ESPN's Rich Cimini contributed to this report.