EL SEGUNDO — Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams told the team he planned to retire rather than continue his standout NFL career after eight seasons, a club spokesman confirmed while the opening day of training camp was underway Thursday morning. Williams spent seven of his eight years in the NFL with the Chargers.

Mike Williams is hanging his cleats up for good. The Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver informed the team of his plans to retire from the NFL on Wednesday night, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon.

The retirement of Williams, who will turn 31 years old in October, leaves a sizable void in the Chargers wide receiver room. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver was expected to provide a big-bodied target on the outside for Justin Herbert, something the Bolts offense was missing for parts of the 2024 season.