Report: Los Angeles Chargers releasing Mike Williams after seven seasons

The Los Angeles Chargers have come to a somewhat surprising decision regarding former first round wide receiver Mike Williams.

According to multiple reports, the Chargers are releasing the former Clemson Tigers superstar, opting to go in a different direction as Jim Harbaugh implements his vision in Los Angeles, and it’s evident Williams will not be a part of it.

“After seven seasons together, the Chargers are releasing WR Mike Williams, per source,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. “The move will save the Chargers $20 million against their cap and Williams will become a free agent.”

Williams will now head to free agency, where he’ll be free to sign with any team of his choosing. Perhaps he’ll be better suited to live up to his lofty billing from Clemson in a different offense, although he flashed throughout his time in Los Angeles.

Over seven seasons with the Chargers, Williams amassed 309 receptions for 4,806 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns. His 2023 season was cut short due to a torn ACL, so he’ll be working back from a major injury in 2024.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are set to become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline comes the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.

More on restricted, exclusive rights free agents

Players with only three years of accredited NFL experience become restricted free agents. Their original team will have the option to apply first-round, second-round, original-round, and right-of-fight-of-first-refusal tenders on players at escalating price tags. The higher the round, the more expensive the tender amount; however, if a separate team does offer a contract and the original team does not match, that round’s pick will be conveyed from the new team to the original team. Right of first refusal only gives a team the option to match or not. If they don’t match, they get nothing in return. An original-round tender would send a draft pick from whatever round the player was drafted back to the original team if they chose not to match. The original team will have five days to match once a player signs an offer sheet from a new team.