Williams plans to retire from the NFL, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Chargers had placed Williams on the active/PUP list Monday, but the wideout now has elected to step away from the game as a player. With the 2017 first-rounder no longer in the mix, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and unsigned rookie Tre Harris profile as the team's top three WRs. After spending last season with the Jets and Steelers, Williams was slated to return to the team that drafted him after signing a one-year deal with Los Angeles in March. Instead, he'll conclude his NFL career with 330 catches for 5,104 yards and 32 TDs over the course of 106 games.

The Chargers placed Williams (undisclosed) on the active/PUP list Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams has been dealing with an undisclosed injury since minicamp last month. He was expected to be ready for training camp, but it's also worth noting that Williams can be activated at any time. There's been no indication that he's dealing with any sort of long-term issue. Williams turns 31 years old in October and is looking to rebound from a forgettable 2024 that saw him post a 21-298-1 receiving line across 18 regular-season games with the Jets and Steelers. In Los Angeles, Williams reunites with Justin Herbert after the two showed pass-game chemistry prior to Williams tearing his ACL three games into the 2023 campaign.

Williams is expected to be ready for training camp after missing June minicamp with an undisclosed injury, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Signed to a one-year contract worth up to $6 million, Williams is hoping to rebound from a down season in 2024 with his 31st birthday coming up in October. The odds may be against him, but it's at least worth noting that last season was his first year back from an ACL tear, which means he may actually be more explosive in 2025 even though he's another year older. Williams figures to compete with Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris for perimeter snaps.

The Chargers signed Williams to a one-year contract worth up to $6 million Wednesday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams was selected by the Chargers in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft and spent his first seven professional seasons with the organization, topping out at 76 catches for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns during a career-best 2021 campaign. The Clemson product moved on to the Jets last offseason but struggled to produce and was traded to the Steelers in early November. Between his stints with the two clubs, Williams tallied a modest 21 catches on 34 targets for 298 yards and one touchdown over 18 regular-season games last year. With his return to Los Angeles, Williams will team up with a familiar quarterback in Justin Herbert, and he should have a decent-sized role as the team's No. 2 or No. 3 receiver behind Ladd McConkey.

Williams hauled in nine of 13 targets for 132 yards and one touchdown across nine regular-season appearances with the Steelers. He also posted a 12-166-0 receiving line on 21 targets in nine games with the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Williams also had one 37-yard catch (on two targets) in the Steelers' wild-card round loss to Baltimore. The 30-year-old wideout failed to emerge as a reliable contributor in either New York, where he kicked off the 2024 campaign, or Pittsburgh, who acquired him via trade in early November in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Now set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Williams will hope to find a landing spot in free agency where he'll get a chance to prove himself as a potential starting option.

Williams failed to secure either of his two targets during Wednesday's 29-10 loss to Kansas City.

EDGE Analysis

Williams had racked up double-digit yards in each of the last three games, but his production took a step back on Christmas Day since George Pickens (hamstring) was back in action. Williams hasn't been a reliable contributor over his eight appearances with the Steelers this year, securing eight of 12 targets for 107 yards and a touchdown. Now that Pickens is healthy, Williams' upside for next week's regular-season finale against the Bengals is limited.

Williams secured all three of his targets for 24 yards during Saturday's 34-17 loss to Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

Williams continued to see a slightly increased role Saturday since George Pickens (hamstring) was sidelined for a third consecutive game. Williams has racked up double-digit receiving yards in each of the last three matchups, securing seven of nine targets for 75 yards during that time. His fantasy value remains limited, and his role could decrease next week since head coach Mike Tomlin has said that Pickens has a "real chance" to play against Kansas City.

Williams caught one of his two targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Eagles.

EDGE Analysis

Williams continues to struggle to take a step forward in Pittsburgh's passing attack since joining the team in Week 10. The veteran wideout played just 15 of the Steelers' 43 offensive snaps, behind fellow wide receivers Calvin Austin (35) and Van Jefferson (35). Despite No. 1 wideout George Pickens (hamstring) missing his second straight game, Williams was mostly an afterthought in the offensive scheme. The 30-year-old will look to bounce back in Week 16 when the Steelers visit the Ravens.

Williams is in line for an expanded role in Sunday's Week 15 matchup against the Eagles with George Pickens (hamstring) inactive for the contest.

EDGE Analysis

Playing without Pickens in Week 14 against the Browns, Williams resurfaced in the Steelers' air attack, albeit modestly, with a 3-36-0 line on four targets. However, that represented a significant uptick in involvement for the veteran trade-deadline acquisition, whose only reception in a Steelers uniform prior to that game had been a 32-yard touchdown catch in his Week 10 team debut against the Commanders. Williams again will have added opportunities for targets Sunday, although those will come versus a talented Philadelphia secondary that's allowed an NFC-low 178.5 passing yards per game.

Williams recorded three receptions on four targets for 36 yards in Sunday's 27-14 win over the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

The Steelers had limited pass volume, with Russell Wilson taking to the air only 26 times. Even with an expanded role in the absence of George Pickens (groin), that led to a modest stat line for Williams. Nevertheless, it was his best usage as a Steeler, and he finished tied for second on the team in targets. Even with some slight reason for optimism, it's difficult to trust that Williams will post a meaningful stat line heading into a Week 15 matchup against the Eagles.