The Los Angeles Chargers were the only club that was considerably above the $255.4 million salary ceiling by today’s 4 p.m. EST deadline, and they had some tough decisions to make. The NFL’s regulations required all teams to be under that maximum.
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joey Bosa, and Khalil Mack are four of the top 12 cap hits in the league, so the Chargers’ path out of this issue was always clear—albeit challenging.
The Chargers are cutting wide receiver Mike Williams, a seven-year veteran, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Williams is the one getting cut.
Sources: The #Chargers are releasing WR Mike Williams, making him a free agent. Williams, on the books for a $32M cap hit, becomes a top FA WR available. pic.twitter.com/4f2EMNH8Fp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2024
The Chargers were able to avoid the cap because to Williams’ substantial $32 million cap cost, which he avoided by $20 million.
Williams, who entered the 2017 NFL Draft with the seventh overall pick by the Chargers, finished his seven-year career with 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns. He had a ruptured ACL in Week 3 and had a dismal 2023 season marred by injuries. Williams gained 249 yards and a score in his three games of action.
His absence was apparent as the Chargers offense, en route to a dismal 5-12 season, was bereft of its most reliable red zone target and its deep threat.
Williams quickly rises to prominence in the wide receiver market, ranking with players like Allen Robinson, Calvin Ridley, Marquise Brown, Odell Beckham Jr., and many more.
In the upcoming days, keep a look out for any more cuts the Chargers could decide to make in order to free up actual salary space, should they so choose.