Mike Williams, a towering 6’4″ jump-ball ace, arrived in the NFL as a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft. But it was never about talent with him—it was about staying healthy long enough to show it. A herniated disc in his rookie season set the tone, limiting him to 11 receptions. Fast forward to 2022, and he suffered a small transverse process fracture in his back. And just when he looked back to form in 2023, a torn ACL in week 3 abruptly ended his campaign.

Across eight seasons, Williams missed 27 games and played just a couple of full seasons—his durability was often questioned more than his ability. When healthy, though, he was a walking highlight reel. His 6’4″ frame and absurd catch radius made him Justin Herbert’s go-to deep threat, especially during his 1,146-yard, 9-touchdown season in 2021. But by 2024, things shifted.

Williams signed with the Jets but never played a down, then joined the Steelers mid-season, managing just 298 yards on 21 receptions. In 2025, he circled back to Los Angeles for one last shot, rejoining the Chargers. And just before camp, he made his decision. On July 17, 2025, Williams announced that he isn’t returning for his ninth season. Williams’ agent, Tory Dandy, simply informed the Chargers’ front office that the 30-year-old wide receiver is finally hanging up his cleats. All told, he walked away with a hefty NFL fortune—more on that in a bit.

How much is Mike Williams’ career earnings?

As Spotrac reported, the Chargers’ legend retired with career earnings of just over $84M across 3 contracts. A Clemson Tigers product, Mike Williams arrived in the NFL after recording a career-high 98 receptions for 1,361 yards in his senior year for the Tigers. Widely considered a top prospect, the Chargers picked Williams with the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.

The wideout signed his four-year, rookie contract worth, $19.74M, all guaranteed. Add incentives and performance bonuses, and Williams cleared over $35M by the end of 2021. Then came the 2022 payday. The Chargers doubled down and handed Williams a massive $60M contract extension, including $40M in guarantees. His signing bonus alone was $21M—nearly what his rookie contract had been worth in full.

He banked around $28M in 2022, then another $20M across 2023–24, even after missing time. Despite injury concerns, the Chargers paid him like a WR1 until the 2024 season. After his contract was done and dusted, the Chargers released him ahead of the 2024 season. The then-eighth-year wideout signed a one-year deal with the Jets—a sweet $10M, including $8.3M in guaranteed.

But after a poor performance, the Jets traded Williams to the Steelers. However, his brief stints with the Jets and the Steelers didn’t move the needle much. By the time he re-signed with the Chargers in 2025 (reportedly a $3M deal), Williams had already pocketed around $84M in career earnings, per Spotrac. That’s elite money for a receiver who managed to show up for a full season just a couple of times. Safe to say his career earnings played a key role in his net worth.

How much is the Chargers’ former WR’s net worth?

Before finally hanging up his cleats, Mike Williams was expected to show up one more time for the Chargers in the 2025 season. Across seven seasons with the Chargers and brief stints with the Jets and the Steelers, he compiled 330 catches for 5,100 yards and 32 career TDs. However, entering the 2025 season, he was put on the PUP list before informing the front office about his retirement.

Across eight seasons, he’s been very well-compensated at the professional level, stacking over $84M, sure. And if the reports are accurate, Williams has an estimated net worth of around $10M, as per Pro Football Network. Besides his NFL career earnings, we can also factor in endorsement deals with brands like Wendy’s, Dr. Pepper, and Nissan, which have been a major driver of his overall net worth.

Now that he’s retired, the Chargers will look toward wide receivers Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith for the 2025 season.