WR Mike Williams has informed the team that he's retiring, according to multiple reports. That ends an eight-year career that spanned three teams. Williams had signed a one-year contract this offseason to return the Chargers. That included just $3 million in salary, but it was all guaranteed. So he appeared on track to play it out. Williams split 18 games between the Jets and Steelers last season but totaled only 21 receptions and 1 TD. The Chargers had placed him on the physically unable to perform list for the start of this year's training camp, though the cause had been vague.
2025 Fantasy Football Impact
There's basically no actual impact to the Chargers, because Williams hadn't yet had the chance to reintegrate into the offense. Even the last time he played for the team, in 2023, found Williams getting to just Week 3 before suffering an ACL tear.
His departure clears one obstacle from second-round rookie Tre Harris' pursuit of a starting outside spot.
Other Winners & Losers
Quentin Johnston might stand to benefit even more from Williams' retirement.
The second-round selection of Harris signals the team liking him. There hasn't been lots of positive buzz around Johnston since last offseason, though.
We'll see exactly what that means for his role, but the Chargers sport little in the way of proven WR talent. So bet on Johnston maintaining a top-3 WR spot.
Fifth-round rookie WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith also might stand a better chance at finding some role for 2025.
Rankings Movement
Removing Williams from the Chargers projections has given both Johnston and Harris a slight boost up our WR rankings. Each guy is going well into reserve territory for most fantasy formats.
Don't bet on this news delivering much impact to the ADP of either player. Williams had been only an end-of-draft consideration by best ball ADP.