Mike Williams appears to have lost the trust of quarterback Aaron Rodgers after an incident during the New York Jets’ recent game against the Buffalo Bills. Williams allegedly ran an incorrect route and slipped, contributing to an interception by Rodgers in the fourth quarter of the 23-20 defeat.
In the postgame press conference, Rodgers expressed his frustration, clarifying that the final offensive play called for a specific route. “There’s two verticals, Allen Lazard’s down the seam, and Mike’s down the red line,” Rodgers explained. “When I peaked back, Mike’s running an ‘in-breaker’. It’s gotta be down the red line.”
The miscommunication became critical when the Jets faced a 3rd-and-16 at the Bills’ 40-yard line, trailing by a touchdown with just over two minutes left. Rodgers attempted to connect with Williams for a crucial gain, but Williams slipped, allowing Taron Johnson to intercept the pass.
Williams had a rough outing, failing to catch any of his three targets during the game, and has recorded only 10 catches on 17 targets for 145 yards without a touchdown across the first five games of the season.
On a follow-up appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers addressed his earlier comments regarding Williams, emphasizing the importance of adhering to play responsibilities. “Mike needed to get to the red line, which would’ve been a big gain,” he stated, asserting that he holds himself and his teammates to a high standard. “I have a lot of love and respect for Mike; he’s done some nice things for us, but in that play, he wasn’t in the right spot.”
With the recent acquisition of star receiver Davante Adams, Williams’ role in the Jets’ offense may face significant reduction. Adams is expected to be the team’s second target behind Garrett Wilson, while Williams is experiencing a drop in his snap count.
Williams, who is set to earn $10 million in 2024, could potentially be moved at the upcoming trade deadline. However, acquiring him would come with a hefty cap hit for any interested teams, making it likely that he will remain mostly on the bench unless injuries impact the roster.