The Buccaneers made it clear in recent months they were growing weary of the Mike Williams Show, which occassionally played out on the football field.
And their statement on today’s trade makes that clearer than it ordinarily would have been.
“We thank Mike for his contributions to the Buccaneers over the last four seasons. At this time we felt this was best for both sides and we wish Mike well going forward,” Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht said in a statement from the team.
The Bucs announced that the pick obtained was a sixth-rounder in this year’s draft, pending Williams’ physical with the Bills.
The team also noted that Williams’ departure makes at least the 11th starting job which will change by the time new coach Lovie Smith takes the field.
While they’re deeper at receiver than some teams in their division (OK, one), they desperately need to find someone to pair with Vincent Jackson.
That kind of help isn’t coming from the 185th pick in the draft, and there’s not a lot left in the market to work with, meaning receiver just became a huge priority for the Bucs, perhaps with the seventh overall pick.