Aaron Rodgers was on the Pat McAfee show when news of the Jets trading Mike Williams broke.
The New York Jets bid farewell to wide receiver Mike Williams just before the trade deadline, sending him to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft. Just last week, it was reported that the Raiders tried to secure Williams in the trade that sent Davante Adams to the Jets, but the Jets declined. It was a move many Jets fans saw coming. Williams, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal with New York this offseason, now heads to Pittsburgh, seeking a fresh start with a new team.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers reacted to the news live on *The Pat McAfee Show*. Rodgers, ever the mentor, praised Williams, noting his steady improvement and adding, “He’ll be great in that Steelers locker room.” A former first-round pick with the Los Angeles Chargers, Williams has shown his potential, recording two 1,000-yard seasons earlier in his career. But coming off a torn ACL last season, he seemed unable to find a rhythm in New York.
BREAKING NEWS: Mike Williams has been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers
"He's been getting better every week and he'll be great in that Steelers locker room..
This is gonna give him more opportunities and we wish him well" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/SANnCQm3zF
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 5, 2024
“Mike is a good guy. He’ll be good in that locker room. … He’s had a nice career. Sometimes, a change of scenery is great for certain guys. It was great for me,” Rodgers said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday.
Williams’ tenure with the Jets, brief as it was, highlighted the fine margins in this league. He struggled to sync up with Rodgers, even finding himself at the heart of a critical interception against Buffalo after a miscommunication on a route. Now, in Pittsburgh, he’ll look to rekindle that spark and prove he still belongs among the NFL’s best.
What Trading Mike Williams Means for the Jets
For Mike Williams, it became clear — he was no longer a central piece in the Jets’ plans. His path changed when the Jets made the bold move to bring in Davante Adams from the Raiders, a shift that relegated Williams to just two targets since. This trade to Pittsburgh isn’t only a fresh start for Williams; it’s an opening for the Jets’ rising talents, like Malachi Corley and Xavier Gipson, to step into the spotlight.
Mike Williams highlights 👀
— PickensBurgh🫡 (@PickensBurgh) November 5, 2024
Corley, still working his way back from a costly mistake against Houston, now has the opportunity to reshape his season. Meanwhile, GM Joe Douglas has turned heads yet again, orchestrating a trade that delivered high value for an expendable player. It’s this knack for extracting maximum return that has defined Douglas’ tenure, even as other areas face scrutiny.
As the Jets move into the second half of the season, they do so with a reshaped roster and a renewed focus, relying on new faces and young talent to push them forward. For Douglas and the Jets, the road ahead is a chance to redefine success, one calculated move at a time.
What Trading for Mike Williams Means for Pittsburgh
For Mike Williams, his journey from the Jets to the Steelers marks more than just a new destination; it’s a fresh chance to reignite the potential that once made him a prized target. Known for his towering 6-foot-4 frame and a knack for contested catches, Williams brings a reliable presence to any quarterback he lines up with. This season, though, he struggled to find rhythm in New York’s offense, perhaps still feeling the weight of that 2023 ACL tear or the disconnect in timing with Aaron Rodgers.
Jets trading WR Mike Williams to Steelers for 2025 5th-round pick. (via @RapSheet + @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/JC6e7SM0ef
— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2024
In Pittsburgh, he’ll join Russell Wilson, a quarterback known for his precision on deep throws — the kind of passes that reward receivers like Williams, who thrive on making tough catches in big moments. As he steps into a lineup already featuring standout wideout George Pickens, Williams has a chance to redefine his impact and offer the Steelers an imposing duo on the outside.
For a player who’s battled his way back, it’s an opportunity to remind everyone what he’s capable of, in an offense eager for his kind of presence. In Pittsburgh, Williams isn’t just hoping to fit in; he’s looking to become essential once again.
