Chargers open up the Tre Harris era

El Segundo, CA (News4usOnline) – Symbolically, the retirement of wide receiver Mike Williams represented one thing for the Los Angeles Chargers. The signing of rookie wideout Tre Harris, just as symbolically, characterizes something else for Los Angeles. 

Williams is the past. Harris, the No. 55 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, is both the present and the future for the Chargers. Williams played eight seasons in the NFL, seven of them with the Chargers. If he stays retired, Williams finished his career with 330 catches for 5,104 yards receiving and 32 touchdowns.

Out of those seven seasons, Williams gave the Chargers two 1,000-yard receiving seasons. The other five seasons he played for the ballclub were marred with one injury after another, so the Chargers didn’t get real bang for their buck from the former University of Clemson star. 

Nevertheless, when news circulated that Williams was calling it quits before he even took to the field on the first day of training camp, it sent shockwaves throughout Charger Land. 

“I was definitely disappointed,” Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said on the second day of training camp. “I really enjoyed my time with Mike. I’ve watched him throughout the years, obviously coming out of the draft. I’ve watched him flourish here over the years…just happy for him and the next stage in his life. He’s such a good guy. Wished we could have worked with him, but it didn’t turn out that way. Good luck to Mike.”

The news of Williams retiring from football after he had come back to the team following one year of playing for the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers caught teammates and the media by surprise. 

“I don’t want to say it was shocking, but…I definitely would love to have him out there with me,” Chargers safety Derwin James said. 

Williams, who was drafted by the Chargers in 2017, provided a lot of highlight-reel plays for the Chargers, but his tenure with the ballclub was marked by what could have been and the potential for greatness that the gifted and highly-skilled wideout possessed. 

“I want what’s best for Mike,” Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. “He’s always been there for us, and we’re going to be there for him. It’s obviously a tough situation. I’ve got so much respect for him as a teammate, as a friend, as a receiver, as a player.”  

The sudden move by Williams may have sped up the process of the Chargers getting Harris on the field. The Chargers announced that they had signed Harris the same day that the Williams’ news broke. Signing Harris was not optional for the Chargers. 

With Williams waving bye-bye to the team, Harris gives the Chargers, along with Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey, a set of three young wide receivers who will be the feature targets for Herbert. 

“You lose a Mike Williams, that is what it is,” Roman said. “It’s not easily replaceable, but we like where everybody’s going. We like where everybody’s going. We like the guys we have. We just got to work and keep getting better. I like the trajectory we’re on.” 

After starring for the University of Georgia, McConkey had a breakout rookie season with the Chargers in 2024, hauling in 82 catches for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns. Harris is expected to be another go-to receiver for Herbert after playing ball and starring for the Mississippi Rebels last season.   

At just under 6-3 in height, Harris is considered a home-run scoring threat, as well as a strong intermediate pass catcher. In a way, the departure of the often-injured Williams has paved the way for a new era of wideouts to shine for the Chargers. 

Johnston is going into his third season with the ballclub. The 2025 season will be McConkey’s second in the league. Now, if you add Harris, the Chargers have a hotshot wide receiving corps that gives Herbert both speed downfield as well as route-precision playmakers.       

Development-wise, getting Harris under contract at the onset of camp was important, Roman said.   

“It was music to my ears when I heard that he had signed and getting in,” Roman remarked. “It’s so important for young receivers to be in camp. It’s so many adjustments. It’s just a different game. So far, he’s been outstanding. He’s on top of everything.”