Bills release Mario Williams

The Buffalo Bills have reportedly released defensive end Mario Williams.

Buffalo has been busy on Tuesday. After placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on left tackle Cordy Glenn, general manager Doug Whaley decided the tenure of Mario Williams in Buffalo was over. Williams has been released by the team, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson.

Williams was going to be cut once Glenn was signed, mostly due to his cap hit. By tagging Glenn, the Bills were approximately $12 million over the salary cap. The cap relief coming from the Williams release brings $12.9 million, and puts Buffalo in good standing for the beginning of the National Football League year on March 9.

Williams will be a hot item in free agency. The 31-year-old only had five sacks in 2015 but was highly productive before being moved around in Rex Ryan’s scheme. In the previous three campaigns, Williams racked up 38 sacks, showcasing his ample pass-rushing skills.

For his career, Williams has 96 sacks and 15 forced fumbles. He likely fits in best as a 4-3 edge rusher, and could land on a team such as the Jacksonville Jaguars or Oakland Raiders. Both teams have a boatload of cap space (in excess of $70 million) and are in desperate need of defensive help.