4:45pm: The Chiefs announced that the deal is now official.
3:24pm: The Chiefs are adding a free agent to their wide receiving corps today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who reports (via Twitter) that former Buccaneers and Bills wideout Mike Williams is signing a one-year deal in Kansas City.
Williams, a fourth-round pick out of Syracuse in 2010, got off to a great start in Tampa Bay, racking up 964 yards and 11 touchdowns on 65 receptions in his rookie season for the Buccaneers. Although he was productive for the next two seasons, earning a lucrative, long-term extension in July 2013, Williams’ time in Tampa Bay came to an abrupt end shortly after he signed that contract, in large part due to a multitude of off-the-field issues.
Williams signed with the Bills for the 2014 season, but was cut by Buffalo after catching just eight balls for 142 yards and a touchdown in nine games. The 28-year-old (29 next month) was unable to catch on with an NFL team for the 2015 campaign, serving a three-game suspension to open the season. So he may face an uphill battle as he attempts to secure a spot on the Chiefs’ 53-man roster in 2016.
Terms of Williams’ new contract aren’t yet known, but a minimum salary deal seems very likely. The veteran receiver worked out for the Bengals and Patriots this offseason before agreeing to sign with the Chiefs.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.