NFL Rumors: Chicago Bears close to a deal with D.J. Williams
The Chicago Bears appear to be close locking up middle linebacker D.J. Williams to a deal according to The Chicago Tribune’s Bears reporter Dan Wiederer.
Figured if any other Bear got a deal before tomorrow, it'd be D.J. Williams, and @danwiederer reports that the two sides are close to a deal
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) March 10, 2014
Williams was signed to a one-year deal last season to replace the retired Brian Urlacher at the middle linebacker spot after spending the first nine years of his career with the Denver Broncos, but injury ended his season prematurely after only six games, in which he started four.
In his absence second round pick John Bostic started in the middle and had mixed results. They were so mixed that Bostic is expected to compete for playing time at the strongside linebacker spot in training camp, meaning Williams is once again the front-runner to be the starter in the middle.
The Bears rush defense was atrocious last season, especially up the middle, so the veteran linebacker is an important cog to this defense that prides itself on its middle linebackers.