Kyle Williams is staying with the Buffalo Bills. The veteran signed a one-year deal to remain with the franchise according to Ian Rapoport, who initially reported on the news:
The #Bills are re-signing long-tenured DT Kyle Williams on a 1-year deal, source said. A key part of the D is back.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2018
Report: Buffalo Bills Bring Back Kyle Williams
Williams started all 16 regular season games for the Bills in 2017 and followed that up with another start in the franchise’s first playoff game in 17 seasons. He registered three sacks, broke up two passes and recovered a fumble over the course of the year. With the Bills struggling to create meaningful pressure on the quarterback, Williams’ sack total was tied for second best on the team.
During the 2017 season, Williams’ cap number stood at $8.3 million. He signed a six-year deal valued at $39 million in 2011 and inked a one-year extension to that contract in 2015. His annual contract value last year ranked 10th among players at his position, per OverTheCap.com.
Williams’ longevity is certainly a testament to his exceptional talent. The 34-year-old is a five-time Pro Bowler, having been named to the team in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and most recently in 2016. In 2009, he made the roster as an alternate but did not see action in the game. In addition, he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2010 with Pro Football Focus naming him the NFL’s defensive player of the year.
Buffalo initially selected Williams in the fifth round (134th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. This came after a standout career at LSU where he made first team All-SEC and second team All-American as a senior. Two years earlier, he was part of a Tigers squad that took home the program’s second national title at the time (they’ve since won a third).
Williams was the longest-tenured player on the Bills roster in 2017. His 43.5 career sacks rank fifth all-time in franchise history, trailing Cornelius Bennett (52.5), Phil Hansen (61.5), Aaron Schobel (78) and Bruce Smith (171).
