Mike Williams went from Aaron Rodgers’ last choice to Steelers hero in a matter of days.
The former Jet caught the game-winning touchdown for the Steelers in their 28-27 victory over the Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Pittsburgh had trailed Washington by six with just over two minutes to play when Russell Wilson lobbed a deep pass to Williams, who was streaking toward the end zone.
The pass dropped right into the Williams’ arms for the 32-yard touchdown pass with 2:22 left in the game and with the extra point the Steelers moved in front.
The catch was Williams’ only one of the game and it was the only time Wilson targeted the trade deadline acquisition.
The Steelers had acquired Williams on Tuesday in a deal with the Jets that ended his tenure in New York – one which included being called out by Rodgers following a loss to the Bills.
Late last week, Williams expressed optimism about his future with the Steelers when he spoke with reporters after practice.
“I’m a playmaker,” Williams said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I want to make plays. I’m going to work and show I deserve to be on the field.”
He certainly seemed to do that with his winning play on Sunday in his Steelers debut.
While Williams fell out of favor with Rodgers, the receiver expressed belief that it occurred due to him missing time to work with the Jets QB during the offseason.
“Going there after the ACL not having OTAs or training camp to get the chemistry right … [Rodgers] is real detailed. He likes what he likes. Me not being able to transition in as quick is probably what went wrong,” Williams explained in that same media session.
The Steelers have been one of the top teams in the AFC North and Sunday’s win was the team’s seventh of the season.
