Video: Aaron Rodgers Learns of Jets' Mike Williams Trade Live on 'Pat McAfee Show'

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers already threw wide receiver Mike Williams under the bus after a game-losing interception against the Buffalo Bills earlier in mid-October.

So when Rodgers was asked on his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show to react to the news that Williams had reportedly been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a fifth-round pick, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, he noted that while the veteran wideout had been making some strides since returning from last season's ACL injury, there also were less targets to go around in New York.

"I felt like he was getting better throughout the early part of the season. I felt like his speed was getting better and he was feeling more comfortable with it. ... And sometimes a change of scenery is great for certain guys. Shoot, it was great for me, fun, kind of get re-enthused. We kinda knew with Davante [Adams] coming in that there would be less targets for everybody. ... If this gives Mike more opportunities, that's awesome. We wish Mike well."

There's no doubt that Williams was almost assuredly going to be an afterthought in New York's passing game after the acquisition of Adams. Garrett Wilson currently leads the NFL in targets (94). Adams and longtime Rodgers favorite Allen Lazard are going to see plenty of looks as well. Breece Hall and Braelon Allen remain excellent weapons out of the backfield.

Williams already was on the fringes of the offense with only 12 catches for 166 yards on 21 targets. He ranked sixth on the team in all three marks. It was telling that in just three games with the Jets, Adams had more targets, catches, yards and touchdowns than Williams had in nine contests.

As for what the Steelers are getting, Williams has posted two seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards and one season with double-digit touchdowns. He's traditionally been a field-stretching deep threat in his career, with his career high in receptions (76) coming in the 2021 season. He's only exceeded 50 receptions in a season twice.

The Steelers aren't exactly loaded at the position, with the talented but inconsistent George Pickens (35 catches for 548 yards and a touchdown) leading the charge. Williams won't offer Russell Wilson a target magnet or a dynamo across the middle, but he'll put pressure on defenses with his ability to take the top off of a secondary.

All in all, it was a trade that made sense for both teams. Given New York's depth at wideout and Rodgers' past comments, it all but felt like an inevitability.