RADIO
Mike Williams 2022 Outlook: Looks to Build Upon Career-Year in 2021 After Big Contract Extension
3 years agoBig Mike Williams hit the jackpot this offseason, signing a three-year, $60 million extension that comes with $40 million guaranteed. That came as a result of the most productive season of his five-year career with the Chargers. He caught a career-high 4.8 balls on a career-high 8.1 targets per game and tallied a career-high 1,146 receiving yards for the season. The biggest difference however between the first four years of his career and last season, when Joe Lombardi took over as offensive coordinator, was the change in role. Williams used to just be a deep-threat guy. He averaged over 10 yards per target (YPT) between 2018 and 2020 and had an average depth of target (aDOT) of nearly 16 yards. In 2021, playing the "X" receiver role that Michael Thomas had in New Orleans, Williams averaged just 8.9 YPT and had an aDOT of just 10.7 yards. That led to more consistent targets, including high-value ones in the red zone. After seeing just 10 red zone targets in 2020, he saw 23 in 2021 and turned those into nine touchdowns. Combine his newfound role with one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL in Justin Herbert, and you've got a recipe for success in the coming years. Another top-15 finish is well within the cards for Big Mike in 2022.
