Buffalo Bills Sign Mario Williams to Lucrative Contract
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(ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.) — This past season the Buffalo Bills were tied for the second-fewest sacks by any team in the NFL. Their passing rushing woes seem to have vastly improved now that the team has signed free agent defensive end/linebacker Mario Williams to a six-year deal worth up to $100 million. Williams will receive $50 million guaranteed, making him the highest earning defensive player in NFL history.
The Bills started out last season as one of the hottest teams in the NFL, going 5-2 to start the season. Still, following a seven-game losing streak, the team quickly fell out of playoff contention and finished without a winning record for the seventh straight season. While the team’s defense was known for forcing turnovers, they couldn’t generate enough of a pass rush to keep the opposing offense off the field. They hope that’s all over with Williams joining the team.
Williams was the number one overall pick by the Houston Texans back in 2006 out of North Carolina State. He has just 4.5 sacks his rookie season, but in 2007 he recorded 14.5 sacks and 12.0 sacks in 2008. He was converted to a linebacker this past season under then new Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. He was limited to just five games in 2012 after suffering a torn pectoral muscle, but still managed to record 11 tackles and five sacks.
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