After a frustrating and forgettable 2024 season, Mike Williams is back where he belongs—with the Los Angeles Chargers. And according to CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin, his second stint in L.A. could reignite his career.
Benjamin recently listed Williams as one of seven minicamp breakout candidates across the NFL, a bold prediction considering the veteran wideout managed just 21 catches for 298 yards and two touchdowns last season while splitting time between the Jets and Steelers.
Mike Williams Returns to Chargers with a Chip on His Shoulder—and Breakout Potential
But Benjamin sees a perfect storm brewing in Los Angeles. “Familiarity is key here,” he wrote. “Williams endured an ugly 2024 season away from Los Angeles… Yet his return to the Bolts could do wonders for the rest of his career. Now paired with the savvy and fresh-legged Ladd McConkey, Williams should be freed up to stretch the field as a secondary outlet for Justin Herbert. And there’s no better time to go deep on cover men than in the spring, where the contact is minimal and the grass is green for sprinting.”
The Chargers offense is quietly loaded. With McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and rookie Tre Harris in the mix—and Najee Harris now joining the backfield—head coach Jim Harbaugh has more tools than ever to elevate Herbert’s production. But don’t sleep on Williams. The 30-year-old says he’s ready to move past last season.
“Last year was terrible for me. I’m just being honest,” Williams said during his return press conference. “It was the worst year I’ve had in the league by far. I’m trying to make it feel like it didn’t happen.”
Williams’ reunion with Herbert is no small matter either. In 2021, the pair connected for 76 catches, 1,146 yards, and nine scores. That chemistry could prove vital as the Chargers look to rebound from a middling 20th-ranked offense in 2024.
He may have to battle for reps in a crowded receiver room, but at 6-foot-4 with deep-ball prowess, Williams still brings something unique to the table. If he can stay healthy, his return might not just be a feel-good story—it might be a key to a top-10 offense in 2025.
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