D.J. Williams did not expect his position group to be so crowded with the Chicago Bears. When he signed with the Bears this offseason for a one-year, $1.5 million deal, he seemed to have different expectations about his role on the team — and perhaps he was misinformed. Had he known how the linebacker spot would shape up, he may have considered another team. No matter, he’s all-in now.
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“There were teams that were interested; I might have looked at other situations,” Williams told CSNChicago.com. “But I’m coming here to fight it out, duke it out.”
As CSN Insider John Mullin points out, Williams has a disadvantage in garnering a roster spot due to his injury history. He missed three games in 2011, nine games in 2012 (suspension) and 10 games in 2013. At 32 years old, the impact from his position isn’t getting any easier on his body. He thinks his talent will carry him.
“Personally, I feel like I’m one of the three best linebackers on this team,” Williams said, “and if I’m healthy, stay focused, do everything I’m supposed to do, I should be in there.”
His lead competitor is Jonathan Bostic. Unfortunately for Williams, Bostic is a better coverage linebacker, and thus Mullin gives Bostic the advantage going into camp. His run defending skills are becoming less of premium skill in today’s pass happy league.
“I’m competing for a starting job,” Williams said. “I’m not here play special teams. I’m not here to sit on the bench. It’s just day-in, day-out, a grind. There’s the numbers game, the money game, different ‘games.’ But at the end, whoever puts the best product on the field will be there … “