The Buffalo Bills have hauled in the biggest prize in free agency so far, and the biggest Bills’ free agent pickup ever, as they announced the signing today of LB/DE Mario Williams to a six-year, $96 million deal, the largest deal ever for a defensive player.
The 6-foot-6, 283-pound Williams was the best defensive player available via free agency, and except for Peyton Manning, the best player available period. And unlike Manning, Williams just turned 27-years-old in January and is still in his prime, with many good years ahead of him.
Williams only played five games last season due to a pectoral tear, which he has fully recovered from, but in those five games he recorded 5 sacks, putting him on pace for 16 for the season. His best seasons were 2007 and 2008, where he recorded 14 and 12 sacks, and he has averaged over 10 sacks every 16 games of his career.
“The dude’s a beast,” said Bills LB Arthur Moats. “You saw he can play in a 3-4 [defensive scheme], a 4-3, he has that versatility, he has that size, and I just feel like that’s going to open it up for a lot of the other players on the d-line. And then for us at linebacker it’s going to clear things up too, so I’m definitely excited about it.”
The Bills had trouble getting to the quarterback last season, which is critical when you play in the same division as Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Adding Williams is a huge upgrade to their pass rush and improves the team considerably, enabling them to challenge the Patriots and Jets for the division.
For Williams, he will play on a Bills’ defense that was significantly improved last season despite their pass rush problems. While they were 27th in the league in sacks, they were effective at forcing turnovers as they finished sixth in the league in interceptions, and seventh in fumble recoveries. They had four-interception games against both Tom Brady and Michael Vick, and adding pressure up front on the quarterback should improve those numbers.
With last year’s number 3 overall draft pick Marcell Dareus in the middle and Kyle Williams and Mario Williams rushing from the outside, the Bills front D-line will be formidable.
Some other players weighed in via Twitter:
From Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, @AaronRodgers12: Congrats to Mario Williams signing in buffalo… far away from the NFC north, thanks big guy
From Bills WR Stevie Johnson, @StevieJohnson13: I Love it! S/O to Them Buffalo Guys wearing The Suits for Making Things Happen this OffSeason! Let’s Continue to Build! Welcome #SuperMario!
From Bills RB Fred Jackson, @Fred22Jackson: Super Mario is in the Building!!! We jus got better as a team!! #BillsMafia #LEGGO
From Bills LB Kirk Morrison,@kirkmorrison: Icing my shoulder from continuous fist pumping
