Wide receiver Mike Williams is heading back to Chargers on one-year deal

Mike Williams is running a comeback route.

A year after he was released by the Chargers, the team announced Wednesday it agreed to terms with the wide receiver. Williams will return on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, according to Fox Sports.

A first-round pick in 2017, Williams caught 309 passes for 4,806 yards in seven seasons with the Chargers. But the Chargers released him last year to save $20 million in their effort to become salary-cap compliant. He signed with the New York Jets, but the pairing with Aaron Rodgers never blossomed and he was traded midseason to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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The Chargers have been looking for help on offense during free agency but struck out with other top receiver targets during the initial flurry of signings. Pass-catching tight end Evan Engram signed with the Denver Broncos on Wednesday. Chris Godwin re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Davante Adams chose the Rams.

After 32-year-old DeAndre Hopkins signed with the Baltimore Ravens for a reported one-year, $6-million contract, Williams’ position in the market became clearer. The veteran receiver missed all but three games in 2023 after a season-ending knee injury and is coming off his quietest season not shortened by injury since his rookie campaign.

But the 6-foot-4, 218-pound Williams can still be a potent deep threat for the Chargers, who are looking for a reliable counterpart to rookie sensation Ladd McConkey. McConkey set franchise rookie records with 82 catches for 1,149 yards receiving.