Bengals Steal Steelers Promising Rookie After Waiver Claim

Williams was signed to the 53-man roster early in the season to provide depth at the return man position. He did well on punt returns, as he averaged a touch over 10 yards per return, but a couple of fumbles on return duty, as well as injury, did him in. The original returners got their job back, and he rarely saw the field in recent weeks. Now, he's on to Cincinnati. 

What really sealed his fate was when the Steelers signed Adam Thielen off waivers and signed Marquez Valdez-Scantling to the 53-man roster off the practice squad. With those two in the picture, there was no space left for Williams. With him gone, Pittsburgh can sign an offensive lineman or edge rusher off the practice squad to provide much-needed depth elsewhere as the season goes on. 

Steelers Still Wanted Williams

Despite releasing him, the Steelers still hoped that Williams would clear waivers so they could bring him back onto the practice squad and keep him around if needed, as reported by Mike DeFabo. Clearly, that did not work out, and now their division rival has a potential diamond in the rough ready to go. 

Williams had an excellent preseason on offense and on special teams, and everyone got a good look at what he could possibly do if given the opportunity. He has not had a reception in the regular season, but undrafted rookies don't get the chance to do that often. He impressed the coaches in his NFL debut, but just couldn't do enough to stick around on the 53-man roster. 

The Bengals have had excellent wide receiver play in recent years. If they can develop him into a quality contributor, the Steelers would see him as the one that got away. They won't get the ability to sign him to a futures deal unless Cincinnati releases him before the end of the 2025 season, so odds are he won't be back in the black and gold anytime soon.