EL SEGUNDO — Mike Williams said the obvious Friday upon his return to the Chargers, after agreeing to a one-year contract potentially worth up to $6.5 million earlier in the week. Actually, he said at least two things that rang true when he met with reporters at the team’s training facility.
“I never wanted to leave,” Williams said of the Chargers’ decision to release him as part of a series of cost-cutting moves in order to slide under the NFL’s salary cap last year and of their decision to re-sign him after he split this past season with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.
“But it was the business part of football and things happen, and now I’m back.”
Williams also said, “Last year was terrible for me. It was terrible. Probably the worst year I had in the league by far. So, yeah, putting it in the past. That was the past. Trying to make it feel like it didn’t happen. Just trying to get back to what I’m used to and that’s having fun. That’s my main thing.
“This is where it all started and I’m excited to be back.”
Williams tried to form connections with first Aaron Rodgers of the Jets and then Russell Wilson of the Steelers after New York traded him to Pittsburgh at midseason. He never really clicked with either. Certainly not as he did with Philip Rivers and then Justin Herbert while with the Chargers.
In seven seasons with the Chargers, Williams caught 309 passes for 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns. Last season, he caught 12 passes for 166 yards with the Jets and nine passes for 132 yards and one touchdown with the Steelers. He was not a featured receiver for Rodgers or Wilson.
It was an unusual and uncomfortable position for Williams, who had forged an unbreakable bond with Herbert, in particular. Herbert would throw the ball in Williams’ direction, knowing Williams could outleap and outmaneuver defenders to make remarkable catches, especially along the sidelines.
Herbert and Williams made the spectacular seem routine.
It never happened with the Jets or the Steelers.
Rodgers, in particular, trusted several of his wide receivers.
Williams was not one of them, though.
So, when Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz invited Williams back for a second stint, Williams couldn’t say no. It was as if he was home again, and he was looking forward to being reunited with Herbert while learning a new playbook from Coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
“It feels good,” Williams said of his homecoming, smiling broadly.
FULL CIRCLE (PART 2)
Running back Najee Harris first met Harbaugh while a high school standout in the Bay Area town of Antioch. Harbaugh was the coach of the San Francisco 49ers and, after jumping to the University of Michigan, began to recruit Harris. In fact, Harbaugh turned up at Harris’ homecoming game.
Harris recalled his college decision came down to the final days. He decided against playing for Harbaugh at Michigan, playing instead for Nick Saban at the University of Alabama. He had airline tickets waiting for him for each destination, but opted for Alabama at almost the last minute.
Now, after a standout career with the Crimson Tide and four years of rushing for 1,000 yards or more per season with the Steelers, Harris, 27, will finally suit up for Harbaugh this season. Harris agreed to a one-year contract potentially worth as much as $9.25 million earlier this week.
“We talked two days ago on the phone,” Harris said of Harbaugh. “He’s the same guy. Then (Thursday) we sat down and chopped it up over dinner. He’s the same guy he always was. Energetic. Life of the party. He’s a good guy to be around. Down to earth. He makes you feel comfortable.”
PHILLIPS AGREES
The Chargers and Del’Shawn Phillips, a former Houston Texans linebacker and special teams ace, agreed to terms on a one-year contract. Phillips would likely slot into the spot vacated by Nick Niemann, who agreed to join the Texans on a two-year deal worth as much as $6.5 million earlier this week.
Phillips, 28, has made 34 tackles on nearly 1,400 snaps on special teams during his five-season career with the Buffalo Bills, the Jets, Baltimore Ravens and the Texans. He had 16 tackles in 17 games last season for the Texans, who signed him as a free agent in March 2024.