Chargers' Williams retires after 8 seasons

Wide receiver Mike Williams informed the Los Angeles Chargers that he's retiring after eight NFL seasons, the team announced Thursday.

Los Angeles placed the 30-year-old on the physically unable to perform list earlier this week with an undisclosed injury.

The Chargers drafted Williams seventh overall in 2017. He also spent time with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers before returning to Los Angeles on a one-year, $6-million deal this offseason.

Williams missed the first six games of his career due to a back injury but managed to put together a few solid seasons after a slow start. His best campaign came in 2021, when he caught 76 passes for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns. Williams also led the league in yards per reception in 2019.

The Chargers released the Clemson product in March 2024, just two years after he signed a three-year, $60-million contract. Williams later inked a deal with the Jets before being traded to the Steelers in November.

Williams finishes his career with 330 receptions for 5,104 yards and 32 scores.

Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, and second-round rookie Tre Harris are likely to be the Chargers' top three wideouts following Williams' departure.