Chargers' Justin Herbert addresses 'heartbreaking' Mike Williams retirement

The Los Angeles Chargers clearly thought that veteran wide receiver Mike Williams might be able to turn the clock back when the two sides agreed to a one-year $6M contract this past March. 

Such a development now won't occur, as reports confirmed on Thursday that Williams has decided to retire.

After the Williams news broke, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert spoke about missing out on a reunion that wasn't meant to be. 

"He's going to make a play, and when everything mattered the most, he was going to show up," Herbert said about Williams, as shared by Eric Smith of the Chargers' website. "That's what I'm going to remember the most about him, it was an honor to play alongside him, throw him the ball, and definitely heartbreaking, tough news to hear about. But we got his back no matter what."

According to the StatMuse website and Jack Markowski of Sports Illustrated, Williams and Herbert connected for 202 receptions, 2,977 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns over 46 games from 2020-23. More recently, Williams tallied just 21 receptions for 298 yards and one score during stints with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers last season. 

Kevin Patra of the NFL's website noted that the Chargers will now hope 2023 first-round draft pick Quentin Johnston "puts it together after taking baby steps forward in 2024" following Williams' retirement. Per ESPN stats, Johnston finished the 2024 campaign ranked second on the team with 55 receptions, 91 targets and 711 receiving yards. He led the 2024 Chargers with eight touchdown grabs. 

People within the Chargers may not say it out loud, but they likely were hoping that Williams would help Herbert take a significant leap later this year. While league executives, coaches and scouts recently surveyed by ESPN ranked Herbert as the NFL's seventh-best quarterback, the 27-year-old who signed a five-year, $262.5M contract extension in the summer of 2023 has thus far lost the only two playoff starts he's made. 

Understandably, Herbert's postseason record wasn't on his mind as he spoke with reporters on Thursday. 

"I want what's best for Mike," Herbert added during his comments. "He's always been there for us, and we're going to be there for him. It's obviously a tough situation. I've got so much respect for him as a teammate, as a friend, as a receiver, as a player and the man that he is. We're going to be there for him however we can help. Football, at the end of the day, is a game, and there's more to life than just football. I'm just hoping for the best for him."

As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Chargers tied for fifth among the betting favorites at +1400 odds to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LX. Such information shows why Los Angeles may want to fill the void created by Williams' retirement before Week 1 of the upcoming season arrives.