Steelers' Mike Williams Talks Aaron Rodgers Relationship After Trade from Jets

Mike Williams' short tenure with the New York Jets came to an end on Tuesday when he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the NFL trade deadline.

After his nine-game stint that yielded just 12 receptions for 166 receiving yards, the wide receiver was candid about his relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

"It was cool. Going there after the ACL not having OTAs or training camp to get the chemistry right… he's real detailed," Williams said, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo. "He likes what he likes. Me not being able to transition in as quick is probably what went wrong."

There seemed to be a strain in Williams and Rodgers' relationship in October after an interception sealed a Jets loss to the Buffalo Bills. After the game, Rodgers blamed Williams for running the wrong route.

"It's two vertical [routes]. Allen [Lazard] is down the seam and Mike is down the red line," Rodgers told reporters after the game. "I'm looking at Allen, he puts his hand up and three guys go with him. So I'm throwing a no-look to the red line. And when I peek my eyes back there, [Williams] is running an in-breaker. He's got to be on the red line. It's the little things every single time."

Williams' struggles in New York weren't entirely because of a disconnect between him and Rodgers. The Jets have a deep receiver room that got even deeper when Davante Adams was traded to New York a few weeks ago.

Now in Pittsburgh, he'll hope to see more production while playing alongside star receiver George Pickens. While Pickens will remain the Steelers' No. 1 receiver, Williams will likely be No. 2 and have his number called more often.

In his last full season in 2021, Williams had 1,146 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, and he's looking to recreate that success with his new team.