2024 NFL trade deadline: Steelers sign WR Mike Williams from Jets; Aaron Rodgers comments on the deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been trying to trade for a wide receiver for the past few months, and they finally did so on Tuesday.

Just hours before the NFL trade deadline, the Steelers were able to complete a deal with the New York Jets for Mike Williams, CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones reported. The Steelers initially called the Jets about a possible Williams trade more than three weeks agobut the two sides were only able to reach an agreement on Tuesday.

To make the trade possible, the Steelers will send a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Jets. According to ESPN, the Steelers will pick up the remainder of Williams' contract for this season. The veteran is a free agent in 2025.

“Mike had a bad injury last year, the torn ACL, and it's hard to come back from that, and he worked his ass off all offseason,” Aaron Rodgers said. respond to trade on the Pat McAfee Show. “It's a serious injury, I had this injury and it's the mental part that takes the longest. We somehow knew that with Davante there would be fewer goals for everyone. … If it gives Mike more opportunities, that’s great.”

The Steelers weren't afraid to get a receiver. They are in the off season tried to land Brandon Aiyuk, who eventually signed an extension to stay in San Francisco. Last month, the Steelers also entered the Davante Adams sweepstakes, but fell through when Adams was traded to the Jets.

The fact that Adams went to New York likely helped the Steelers sign Williams. With both Adams and Garrett Wilson on the roster, Williams became expendable for the Jets. The 30-year-old receiver caught just 12 passes in nine games with New York this season but averaged an impressive 13.8 yards per reception. Williams is also just two years removed from a 2022 season with the Chargers in which he caught 63 passes for 865 yards. However, his numbers dropped significantly in 2023 after his season was cut short due to an ACL injury.

Williams will now transition from catching passes from Rodgers to catching passes from Russell Wilson. Williams will join a receiving group that already includes George Pickens, Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson.

The Steelers were actually close to completing a trade for Christian Kirk in late October, but the deal fell through after the Jaguars contract beat him broke his collarbone in week 8. Williams may not have been Pittsburgh's first choice, but he should be able to contribute to Arthur Smith's offense.