Before wide receiver Mike Williams became a Pittsburgh Steeler, he was a New York Jet. After a loss to Buffalo earlier this season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was critical of Williams for not running a proper “red line” (the center track of an outside deep pattern) route late in the game.
The comment got lots of attention in New York, because it sure sounded like Rodgers was throwing Williams under the bus for his mistake.
Rodgers seemingly blames Mike Williams for the game losing int.
“There’s two verticals, Allen’s down the seam and Mike’s down the redline… so I’m throwing a no look to the redline. When I peak my eyes back there Mike’s running an ‘in-breaker’ … it’s gotta be down the redline.” https://t.co/qEZvkKbquw pic.twitter.com/n910IMqUA8
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) October 15, 2024
A few days later, the Jets acquired Rodgers’ former Green Bay Packers teammate Davante Adams from Las Vegas. Williams’ role was immediately minimized. Then he was eventually traded to Pittsburgh after putting up just 12 catches for 166 yards with no touchdowns.
Well, Williams seemed to run a similar “red line” route just right Sunday when he connected with Russell Wilson for a game-winning touchdown to beat the Washington Commanders 28-27.
FIRST TD AS A STEELER!!!!!!!!
???? Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/qaxvtHNvcM
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 10, 2024
That was Williams’ first catch on his first target in his first game as Steeler.
On Instagram Monday, Williams threw a less-than-subtle jab at Rodgers when he posted a picture of his celebration with the hashtag #RedLine and a picture of a green snake.
What color do the Jets wear? Remind me.
Meanwhile, as Williams’ catch was helping the Steelers win their game, Rodgers and the Jets were getting pummeled 31-6 by the Arizona Cardinals. Rodgers only threw for 151 yards and was sacked three times. The Jets have fallen to 3-7.
I’m sure Williams is extremely broken up about that.
After the trade, Rodgers was on “The Pat McAfee Show Live” and said plenty of good things about Williams.
“Mike’s a good guy. He’ll be good in that locker room,” Rodgers said on Wednesday. “He’s had a nice career. Sometimes, a change of scenery is great for certain guys. … If this gives Mike more opportunities, that’s awesome. And we wish Mike well.”
It doesn’t appear that feeling is mutual from Williams’ end of things.
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