NFL Free Agency update: Kyle Williams re-signs with Bills
Not long after the team agreed to terms with free-agent defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, the Buffalo Bills re-signed veteran Kyle Williams.
Off their first playoff appearance since way back in 1999, the Buffalo Bills are bound and determined to make consecutive trips to the postseason. General manager Brandon Beane and the organization have been extremely aggressive over the last few weeks. But on Tuesday afternoon, the franchise brought back a player that was drafted in the fifth round way back in 2006 and has been a mainstay on the defensive line ever since.
All told, 34-year-old Kyle Williams will be preparing for another NFL season after re-upping with the Bills. The five-time Pro Bowler has played in 167 regular-season contests and has amassed 43.5 career sacks. He brings stability to a defensive front that will be adding inside presence Star Lotulelei. The latter just agreed to a five-year deal with Sean McDermott’s club and will now pair with the former LSU product. Williams’ first season in Buffalo saw him playing for head coach Dick Jauron back in ’06.
Contract details
Via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the 12-year defensive tackle has inked a one-year, $6 million deal to return to Orchard Park.
National reaction
#Bills DT Kyle Williams is returning to Buffalo on a 1-year deal worth $6M, source said. He gets $5M fully guaranteed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2018
Kyle Williams, the @buffalobills all-time defensive tackle sack leader, is returning for his 13th season with the team. pic.twitter.com/jMjHwUYXDw
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) March 13, 2018
Current #mood after finding out my boy Kyle Williams and his family will be back. pic.twitter.com/GYsMOd66JN
— Lorenzo Alexander (@onemangang97) March 13, 2018
Grade
Williams will be preparing for his 13th NFL campaign and will now team inside with Lotulelei, who spent five seasons with McDermott in Carolina. This duo, combined with two-year pro Adolphus Washington, must step to the forefront when it comes to stopping the run. Including the playoff setback at Jacksonville, the club allowed a whopping 158.8 yards per game on the ground in the final 10 outings.
Williams brings a lot of savvy to this Buffalo team. He started all 16 games, finished with 41 tackles and two sacks. And when it came to his play against the run, he certainly performed well. All told, his return is a solid but unspectacular move by the front office.
Grade: B