In perfect timing for a normal behind-the-scenes look, New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers did a live interview with The Pat McAfee Show as his team traded WR Mike Williams to the Pittsburgh Steelers. That presented a rare opportunity for an immediate response from a quarterback who had just lost one of his targets.

Rodgers, a 20th-year veteran, knew how to handle the situation and had high praise for Williams.

“Mike is a quiet guy, he just goes about his business,” Rodgers told the show during his weekly Tuesday spot. “Mike had a serious injury last year. It's hard to come back from that ACL. And he worked hard all season long, wasn't there much in training camp, but worked part-time.

“But I felt like he was getting better at the start of the season, his speed was increasing and he was getting more comfortable with it. This is a serious injury. I had this injury. And it’s the mental part that takes the longest.”

As Rodgers notes, Williams tore his ACL early in the 2023 season with the Los Angeles Chargers. He recovered and was healthy enough to play in Week 1 this year, but missed the crucial team-building process with a new team that set him back.

Williams favored the Jets over other suitors this offseason, including the Steelers. Pittsburgh had already scheduled a visit with Williams in March. But he never made the trip. His visit to New York was scheduled first and he signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Jets. A quarterback situation that seemed stronger at the time probably played a role, the chance to intercept passes from Aaron Rodgers.

Unfortunately, Williams accomplished little of that in half a season with the Jets. In nine games, he caught 12 passes for 166 yards and no touchdowns. Only once did he manage to catch more than three passes in a game or run more than 25 yards without finding the end zone. The Davante Adams trade reduced Williams' role even more, and despite Allen Lazard's recent pectoral injury, Williams struggled to see the ball. In his final Jets game last Thursday against the Houston Texans, he caught just one pass for six yards on two scores.

“If it gives Mike more opportunities, that’s great,” Rodgers said. “And we wish Mike all the best.”

Williams should be the No. 2 receiver in an offense that has been searching for such a player since trading WR Diontae Johnson in March. Joining the Steelers midseason may mean a limited role at first, but hopefully that will expand over the final month and into the postseason.

At 30 years old and eight years in the league, Rodgers believes Williams will be great for the Steelers' culture.

“Mike is a good guy. He will be good in this locker room,” he said. “Obviously we had a lot of great experienced leaders. He had a nice career and sometimes a change of scenery is great for certain people.”

Williams will start with his new team this weekend when Pittsburgh visits the Washington Commanders.