The interest from the Carolina Panthers in acquiring New York Jets receiver Mike Williams seems to have been rather limited. Despite some initial interest, the Panthers’ pursuit of Williams was not as fervent as initially suggested.
Last week, Williams finalized a one-year, $15 million deal with the Jets after reportedly exploring options with other teams, including the Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
However, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, there was a chance for the Panthers to bring Williams back to his hometown of Vance, S.C.
Following Kaye’s report, Jets head coach Robert Saleh emphasized that Williams, who suffered an ACL tear in Week 3 of the 2023 season, still faces challenges on his road to recovery.
“He’s got a long way to go. He’s on the same timeline that Breece [Hall] had. They’re very similar injuries, same timeframe. Speaking with Mike, he knows he’s got a road to trek, but at the same time, if he does it the right way, we’re very confident that we’ll have them ready for Week 1.”
Williams’ injury history is a concern as well. The seventh overall pick in the 2017 draft has only completed one full season in the NFL, playing in just 16 out of a possible 34 games for the Los Angeles Chargers over the past two years.
Given these factors, it’s understandable that the Carolina Panthers might have had reservations about pursuing the 29-year-old receiver, particularly considering the significant financial commitment involved.
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