Jets Trade Williams to Steelers at Deadline

Mike Williams we hardly knew ye.

The New York Jets shipped Williams, the lanky 6-foot-4 wide receiver to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a fifth round pick as the NFL trade deadline came and went Tuesday afternoon.

The move was not that surprising, and made sense for both sides.

Mike Williams - Getty Images. 

For the Jets, Williams became expendable when New York acquired Pro Bowl receiver Devante Adams two weeks ago in a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. Since joining New York, Adams has seen 26 targets from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, catching 12 passes including a 37-yard touchdown last week against Houston.

Williams on the other hand saw his production dip since the deal, with only four targets in the last three games combined.

Many feel that Rodgers lost trust in Williams after the receiver ran the wrong route at the end of a Monday Night game against Buffalo on the last play of the game. The play ended in a Rodgers interception as Buffalo won 23-20 on October 14.

Rodgers was critical of Williams in the post game for running the wrong route.

As for the Steelers they have been looking for wide receiver help for a while. They kicked the tires on Brandon Aiyuk when he held out over the summer with the 49ers, and even inquired on Davante Adams with the Raiders earlier in the year.

Williams now gives Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson a solid number two receiver to throw to behind George Pickens.

The Jets 3-6 are clinging to their fleeting playoff hopes this weekend when they visit the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.