But the past will apparently stay in the past as Herbert reminisced Thursday about Williams’ best plays in powder blue.
There was that ridiculous one-handed catch against the Rams in 2022, plus a back-shoulder catch against the Titans the same season that set up a game-wining field goal.
And who could forget Williams’ gutsy performance in Week 18 of the 2021 season against the Raiders when Herbert and Williams teamed up to propel the Bolts into overtime.
Williams had six catches in the fourth quarter alone, including two on fourth down. He then had the game-tying, 12-yard touchdown with no time left in regulation … all while dealing an injury.
“Just a fighter … how many first down conversations that he came up with,” Herbert recalled about that game. “I think on that last drive it might have been three or four.
“Kind of like we talked about, he’s a guy you have to find out there. He’s going to make a play and when everything mattered the most, he was going to show up,” Herbert added. “That’s what I’m going to remember the most about him, it was an honor to play alongside him, throw him the ball and definitely heartbreaking, tough news to hear about. But we got his back no matter what.”
The Chargers wide receiver room still features Ladd McConkey, who will be Herbert’s top target in the group.
But there is now an ample opportunity for players such as Quentin Johnston and Jalen Reagor to provide that presence within the offense.
And rookies such as Tre’ Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith could also potentially carve out roles in Greg Roman’s scheme that help stretch the Chargers passing attack down the field.
“It’s always tough. Like I said, you can’t replace a guy like that,” Herbert said. “Thankfully we got a receiver room that continues to push each other, they compete and they want to be the best.
“Thankfully, we got a lot of guys in that room that are going to make plays,” Herbert added. “We’ve seen it last year and the year before, it’s a veteran group and I’m excited for the opportunity for these guys.”