Former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (81), shown here in 2022, announced his ... More retirement prior to training camp after returning to L.A. as a free agent in the offseason. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Wide receiver Mike Williams’ return to the Los Angeles Chargers was short-lived.
Williams, a former No. 1 pick of L.A. who circled back to the club in the offseason, has retired.
The Chargers learned of Williams’ intention prior to their first training-camp practice on Thursday.
It’s the second haymaker the Chargers have absorbed before camp kicked off.
Running back Najee Harris, another free-agent acquisition like Williams, will start the season on the non-football injury/illness list after suffering an eye injury when stuck by a firework on July 4.
The Chargers signed Harris, the former Pittsburgh Steeler, to a guaranteed $5.25 million, one-year deal
The 6-foot-4 Williams was going to be another weapon for quarterback Justin Herbert, serving as a complement to pass-catchers Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnson.
But Williams, 30, tapped out after a career marked by injuries and unfulfilled promise after arriving in L.A. following a stellar career at Clemson. He spent his initial seven seasons with the Chargers and would later play with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Chargers reclaimed Williams on a one-year, $3 million pact. With his retirement, he leaves behind a dead cap hit of $1.5 million.
“You can’t replace a guy like that,’’ Herbert said. ”Thankfully we got a receiver room that continues to push each other, they compete and they want to be the best.’’
Williams’ departure increases the heat on the Chargers to strike a deal with wide receiver Tre’ Harris, their second-round pick out of Mississippi.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network is reporting that they two sides have agreed to terms.
Among Williams’ setbacks was a torn ACL in 2023, which came after he fractured his back when playing in the regular-season finale in 2022.
Then-Chargers coach Brandon Staley took considerable grief for employing Williams, and other starters, with L.A. already possessing a playoff spot with no avenue to improve its seeding.
Minus Williams, the Chargers suffered an epic meltdown when blowing a 27-point lead in falling to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 31-30.
Williams caught 330 passes for 5,104 yards and 32 touchdowns in his eight-year career.
Ex-Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22), who signed with the L.A. Chargers in the ... More offseason, is battling an eye injury after being hit by a firework on July 4. His status remains clouded in regards to his return. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Najee Harris is coming off a run of four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons with Pittsburgh. He’s expected to share the running chores with Omarion Hampton, the Chargers’ first-round selection out of North Carolina.
Doug Hendricks, Najee Harris’ agent, said in a statement that his client is “fully expected to be ready for the upcoming season.”
The Chargers have yet to confirm that assessment, but they did say that Najee Harris was in the building and attending meetings on Thursday.