Mike Williams made a huge impact in his first game with the Pittsburgh Steelers, helping them clinch a thrilling victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. But it wasn’t just the game-winning play that drew attention. It seems the veteran wide receiver might have also used the occasion to throw some subtle shade at his former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.
Williams played a pivotal role in the Steelers’ 28-27 win over the Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. With Pittsburgh trailing 27-21 and only 2:27 left on the clock, Williams caught a perfectly placed 32-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson, giving the Steelers the lead and ultimately securing the victory.
The play showcased Williams’ ability to make crucial catches under pressure, and it electrified the Steelers’ sideline.
On Monday, Williams took to Instagram to celebrate his remarkable Steelers debut. He shared several photos from the game, and among the various hashtags in his post, one stood out: “#RedLine.” This simple hashtag seemed innocent enough, but those familiar with Williams’ recent history knew it likely had a deeper meaning—one directed at Rodgers.
Just weeks before Williams was traded to the Steelers, he had a very public run-in with Aaron Rodgers, his former quarterback on the New York Jets.
During a key play late in a Jets game, Williams apparently made a critical mistake that contributed to the team’s loss.
Rodgers didn’t hold back afterward, criticizing Williams for not being on the “redline”—a term that refers to a specific route boundary that receivers are expected to run along. The comment was notable for its bluntness, and it certainly seemed to place blame squarely on Williams’ shoulders.
For his part, Williams accepted responsibility at the time, admitting he had made a mistake and even mentioning that he spoke to Rodgers about it afterward.
Still, it couldn’t have been easy to be publicly called out by one of the league’s most prominent quarterbacks. Now, in his first big moment with his new team, it seems Williams couldn’t resist getting in a playful jab of his own.
By using the hashtag “#RedLine” in his Instagram post, Williams was likely referencing that infamous moment—but this time, in a triumphant context.
The message seemed to say, “I’m on the redline now, and look what it led to—a game-winning touchdown.” It was a subtle, yet effective way to remind Rodgers that he was capable of making those big plays when it mattered most.
Williams’ clutch performance helped the Steelers improve to an impressive 7-2 on the season, solidifying their position as a serious contender in the AFC.
Meanwhile, the New York Jets suffered a demoralizing blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals on the same day, dropping them to 3-7. If Rodgers’ criticism of Williams and the resulting tension contributed to the Jets deciding to trade him, it might have ended up being the best mistake Williams ever made.
Not only did Williams find himself in a winning environment with the Steelers, but he also got the perfect opportunity to respond to Rodgers in the best way possible—by letting his performance on the field do the talking.
Sometimes, redemption comes with a little extra flair, and Williams made sure to add his own touch of irony to the occasion.
