ESPN
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers found out the team was trading embattled wide receiver Mike Williams to the Pittsburgh Steelers while he was live on The Pat McAfee Show.
Aaron Rodgers’ reaction to the team trading Mike Williams is significant because Rodgers publicly flamed Williams following the Jets’ loss to the Buffalo Bills in October, with many — including former NFL QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, who publicly called Rodgers out — interpreting it as Rodgers throwing Williams under the bus.
The following week, the Jets traded for Rodgers’ buddy and Pro Bowl wide receiver Davante Adams, who replaced Williams in the starting line-up.
During his weekly Pat McAfee Show appearance on Tuesday, November 5, news of Williams being traded to the Steelers broke, giving Rodgers the opportunity to react in real-time.
“Mike’s [Williams] a quiet guy. Just kind of goes about his business. Mike had a rough injury last year – the ACL – that’s tough to come back from, and he worked his ass off all offseason. Wasn’t around for a lot of training camp; he was working on the side,” Rodgers said. “But I felt like he was getting better throughout the early part of the season. It felt like his speed was getting better and he was getting more comfortable with it.
“Mike’s a good guy. He’ll be good in that locker room, obviously a lot of great, veteran leadership. He’s had a nice career. And sometimes a change of scenery is great for certain guys. It was great for me, kind of fun getting re-enthused. We kind of knew with Davante [Adams] coming in that there would be less targets for everybody. G (Garrett Wilson) is leading the league in targets, he’s gonna get his targets, and Te (Adams) is a dynamic player, he’s getting his targets. So if this gives Mike more opportunities, that’s awesome, and I wish Mike well.”
Aaron Rodgers reacts to Mike Williams being traded to the Steelers on @PatMcAfeeShow 👀 pic.twitter.com/3LByMOrYeo
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 5, 2024
Since the Jets traded for Adams, the team has gone 1-1 (losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers and beating the Houston Texans) and Adams has had 11 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown. Rodgers, Adams, and the rest of Gang Green will look to continue their climb back to .500 when they take on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10.