LANDOVER, Md. — Mike Williams didn’t run that route all week. The game-winning, 32-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson was designed for Calvin Austin III. But when the Steelers faced a critical 3rd-and-9 late in the fourth quarter, the rangy Williams was inserted into the game to give Wilson a bigger target on the deep ball.
Bigger turned out to be better. Williams made a great adjustment on a high Wilson pass and pulled it in for a thrilling 28-27 victory at Northwest Stadium.
“I was just thankful for the opportunity,” said Williams, who was acquired in a trade from the Jets on Tuesday. “Russ trusted me to go over there and run a route and put the ball up for me. I think it shows this week I was out there catching good and running some good routes, showing what I’m able to do. I got an opportunity to close the game out and I did that.”
The Steelers were careful not to put too much on Williams’ plate in his first game, but when the game was on the line, coach Mike Tomlin called his number. Tomlin said he wanted a bigger receiver in the game for that play.
“It was what we talked about on the sidelines,” said Williams, who had just 12 receptions in his nine games with the Jets. “Calvin went out. He was running that route all week. He ran it early in the game. It was for him. He was out, so I went out and made a play.”
Wilson had tried to throw several deep balls earlier in the game, but he failed to connect on attempts to Austin and Van Jefferson. Williams played a few snaps early in the game, but he was mostly a spectator in the second half. During his time on the sidelines, he noticed how much air Wilson puts on his deep passes.
“I was able to see what he was looking at,” he said. “I knew when I got the opportunity, I wasn’t going to run the route and look back at him. I was going to look at the sky because I could see how he was throwing the ball.”
Williams dressed in place of Scotty Miller, and Tomlin said afterward they played him strictly for his ability to win one-on-one matchups.
“He’s a veteran guy,” Tomlin said. “He’s a quick study. We didn’t throw everything at him, but we threw enough, particularly the one-dimensional ball.”
Williams spent most of the game running on the sidelines and using the therapy gun on his muscles to stay loose. He kept in close contact with receivers coach Zach Azzanni and watched how the Commanders were defending. But for the most part, he was simply waiting for his moment.
“I just wanted to be myself, don’t overdo things, don’t press,” Williams said. “Whenever the ball comes, I wanted to make a play. It came to me one time, and it was one of the biggest plays of the game.”
How Williams’ role grows from here is anyone’s guess, but he has a long resume of big plays from his time with the Chargers. Before his ACL injury in 2023, Williams was one of the most feared big-play receivers in the league.
“It was a big-time catch by Mike,” Wilson said. “I just tried to give him a chance and let him do his thing. He’s a guy who has made plays. He’s a guy who has faced some adversity. You love it when guys face adversity and come through on the other end of it. It’s a credit to Mike, studying the film and all the extra time we put in this week. Just having confidence in the people around you — that’s what makes football great.”
It was only about a month ago when Williams was called out by Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers for running the wrong route on a play that resulted in an interception in a loss to the Bills. Williams was in his first season with the Jets and didn’t get to practice much because he was coming back from his knee surgery.
Then, on Tuesday, two hours before the NFL trade deadline, he found out he was going to the Steelers.
“It’s been crazy,” Williams said. “I never thought I’d be getting this type of experience. You live and learn, go with whatever God throws your way. That was my main thing. Everything happens for a reason. I’m here now and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I was able to change the game today, so I’m just thankful for the outcome.”
First Published: November 11, 2024, 12:12 a.m.