Mike Williams was again on the Jets’ observe facility Thursday after lacking the day past’s walk-through for what the crew listed as private causes.
The veteran receiver had been referred to as out publicly by quarterback Aaron Rodgers for operating the flawed route late in Monday night time’s loss to the Payments, and the Jets traded for six-time Professional Bowler Davante Adams the day after the defeat dropped them to 2-4 on the season.
Jets passing sport coordinator and new play-caller Todd Downing mentioned earlier than Thursday’s observe that he has no issues about Williams’ focus as a result of “Mike’s a professional.”
“We now have an achieved broad receiver room proper now and I hope that everyone feels there’s been some intentionality and function in how we’re placing the plan collectively,” Downing mentioned.
Notably, Williams didn’t take part in receiver drills through the portion of Thursday’s observe open to the media, as a substitute figuring out on a aspect discipline with a coach and injured cornerback D.J. Reed (groin).
With lower than three weeks remaining till the Nov. 5 commerce deadline, Williams’ future with the Jets seems tenuous.
Williams, who signed a one-year contract value $10 million within the offseason, is prone to lose enjoying time in a receivers group including Adams to Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard, who’s tied for the NFL lead with 5 landing receptions.
Adams and Lazard have lengthy histories with Rodgers as teammates with the Packers.
“Simply inform Aaron to throw to the open man. That’s the simple half,” Downing mentioned. “As a chef you’d need a bunch of substances, proper? You wouldn’t need to be standing within the kitchen and on the lookout for one thing within the cabinet.
“So it’s an excellent downside to have, that we have now all these substances…That’s the problem for a training employees, proper? You may have all these very gifted weapons now, and it’s about determining the way you’re gonna make it possible for everyone feels their piece of the pie.”
Williams’ former crew, the Chargers, in addition to the Steelers and the Saints, have been recognized amongst “quite a lot of groups reaching out to the Jets about Williams,” in response to The Athletic.
Williams has had a sluggish begin to the season after lacking all of coaching camp whereas recovering from reconstructive surgical procedure to restore a torn ACL final yr.
The 6-foot-4 receiver has 10 catches for 145 yards and nil touchdowns by means of six appearances coming into Sunday night time’s sport in opposition to the Steelers.
After Monday’s loss, Rodgers mentioned Williams ran the flawed route when the quarterback was intercepted by Payments cornerback Taron Johnson with 1:52 remaining.
“It’s two vertical [routes]. Allen [Lazard] is down the seam and Mike is down the crimson line. I’m taking a look at Allen, he places his hand up and three guys go together with him. So I’m throwing a no-look to the crimson line,” Rodgers mentioned. “And after I peek my eyes again there, [Williams] is operating an in-breaker. He’s acquired to be on the crimson line. It’s the little issues each single time.”
The following day on his weekly paid spot on The Pat McAfee Present,” Rodgers shifted the blame to himself.
“I’ve gotta play higher and I can’t make that throw to finish the sport,” Rodgers mentioned. “The query was about what occurred on that play and I wasn’t calling Mike Williams out.
“I maintain myself to a regular of greatness and when it hasn’t been there, I arise there and say I gotta play higher.”
