Williams (knee) has not yet been cleared for football activities and is working on a side field at OTAs on Tuesday, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports. Williams went down to a left ACL tear in Week 3 last season while with the Chargers, so he was never a likely candidate to be ready for OTAs. The start of training camp in July could represent a better target for Williams, though the Jets haven't offered an official estimate for his return timeline. On the plus side, Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) is participating in OTAs without any setbacks, so Williams will be able to start building chemistry with his new quarterback as soon as he gains clearance. The big-bodied 29-year-old will complement top wideout Garrett Wilson as the No. 2 option for New York once healthy.
Williams noted Wednesday that he's "on schedule" in his recovery from knee surgery and expects to be ready for the start of the 2024 season, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports. Williams, who tore his ACL in Week 3 last season while with the Chargers, said that he's four and a half months removed from getting his knee repaired. With that in mind, Williams -- who signed a one-year deal with the Jets on Tuesday with a maximum value of $15 million -- was non-committal about whether he'll be ready for the start of training camp in late July, according to Cimini. Once the 29-year-old receiver moves past his injury, he'll provide the Jets with a field-stretching option and big-bodied red-zone target to pair with No. 1 wideout Garrett Wilson. In terms of opportunity, Williams appears to have found a good fit with New York as part of a 1-2 punch at wideout in an offense that will be helmed by quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Achilles), who's also returning from a season-ending injury.
Williams is set to sign a one-year deal with the Jets, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Per Schefter, Williams' deal with New York is worth up to $15 million. The 2017 first-rounder is bouncing back from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 3 while with the Chargers last season. Given the timing of the injury, Williams should be ready to go before the start of the 2024 season, at which point he'll provide the Jets with a viable starting wideout option opposite Garrett Wilson.
The Chargers are releasing Williams (knee) with a failed physical designation Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Williams is rehabbing from an ACL tear and was due $20 million in non-guaranteed compensation for 2024, the final season of a three-year extension. The Chargers may have discussed a pay cut, extension or trade, but they weren't able to work anything out and now are cutting the 29-year-old wideout loose right around the start of the league year. Williams will become one of the top free agents available, and the timing of his severe knee injury early in the season (Week 3) gives him a decent chance to be ready for the start of the 2024 campaign.