Jets' Mike Williams has 'road to trek' as he recovers from ACL surgery
The Jets upgraded their offense in a big way last week, signing former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams to give Aaron Rodgers another big-time weapon.
Williams said last week during his introductory news conference that he will be ready for Week 1, and Jets head coach Robert Saleh spoke on Monday about the road Williams still has ahead of him.
"He has a long way to go," Saleh said, adding that he has a "road to trek."
Saleh noted that Williams will be on a similar timeline to the one Breece Hall was on last season.
Hall, who tore his ACL during Week 7 of the 2022 campaign, returned for Week 1 of the 2023 season -- amassing 147 yards from scrimmage in New York's overtime win over the Buffalo Bills.
Williams has proven himself as a playmaker during his six NFL seasons, but the big question mark for Rodgers’ new big target – he’s listed at 6-foot-4, 218 pounds – is his health.
Williams tore his left ACL in Week 3 last September.
A Clemson product and former first-round draft pick, Williams reportedly had visits lined up with the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers after his visit to Florham Park, but the Jets didn’t let him leave the building without a contract.
Williams, who signed a one-year deal worth up to $15 million, said he had some "great meetings" with Jets coaches and personnel, and the opportunity to play with Rodgers and Garrett Wilson helped make Gang Green a clear choice.
"I just felt like it was a great fit for me," Williams said last week. "Aaron, I want to be able to play with him, pick his brain, learn from him. Playing alongside Garrett kind of reminds me of playing with Keenan [Allen] a little bit. Similar style players, great route runners, and I feel like we can complement each other in that area. Running game is pretty good, defense is elite, so I just feel like we have a pretty good opportunity ahead of us."
With 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns under his belt, Williams will add a new dimension to the Jets offense.
"I feel like I’ve got a great opportunity ahead of me," Williams said, "so I’m just looking forward to it."
