The Seahawks announced the release of former USC wide receiver Mike Williams today at team headquarters in Renton.

 

General Manager John Schneider said “We would like to thank Mike for his contributions over the past two seasons and we wish him well in the future.”

Williams was originally the 10th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and signed as a free agent with Seattle on April 16, 2010 and signed an extension on January 3, 2011. He also spent time with Oakland and Tennessee during the 2007 season.

He started 23 of 26 games with Seattle, with 83 receptions for 987 yards with five touchdowns and a long of 68. He posted career-highs in catches (65), yards (751) and touchdowns (2) in 2010, and saw his 2011 season cut short, landing on injured reserve (ankle) on December 20. Williams set his career-high in catches with 11 facing the Arizona Cardinals on two occasions (10/24/10 & 11/14/10) and also set a career-high with 145 yards at Arizona (11/14/10).

Williams also holds Seattle’s record for most receiving touchdowns in a single postseason with three (2010).

He has played in 56 games with 30 starts, recording 127 receptions for 1,526 yards with five touchdowns and a long of 68 in his career.

Williams release does little to clear up the Seahawks crowded wide receiver situation. After a 2010 season that saw him as a Comeback Player of the Year candidate, 2011 saw his production tail off in an injury shortened season.

Speculation is that the Seahawks weren't willing to wait until training camp to see if Williams was healthy.

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