The Buffalo Bills wanted to make a statement in 2012 when they signed free agent defensive end Mario Williams to a six-year, $100 million deal. Not only did they want a center piece for their improving defense at the time, but they also wanted to be taken seriously by fellow premier free agents. While Williams has delivered in the pass-rushing department (38 sacks from 2012-2014), he has been slowed by foot injuries this year and will turn 31 next month. Add that to his enormous price tag in 2016 ($19.9 million against the salary cap) and Buffalo could conceivably part ways with the four-time All-Pro this offseason.
"When the Bills evaluate their whole team after this season, releasing Williams is a move that should be seriously considered," ESPN Bills beat reporter Mike Rodak wrote.
The Bills recorded an NFL-best 54 sacks last season and rank in the top ten this year. But overall, Buffalo is struggling on the defensive side of the ball. The team ranks 19th in yards allowed per game (355.9) and 15th in points (23.4). Given their shortcomings and pending free agents, Williams could be sacrificed to spread money throughout the rest of the roster.
"This much is clear: The Bills need the space," Rodak wrote. "Their projected cap number for 2016 is about $149 million, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The team can carry over its unused 2015 cap space - about $6 million as of Tuesday, according to NFLPA documents - but that carried-over amount will be adjusted for incentives that players earned this season but did not count against the 2015 cap, lessening how much the Bills can spend in 2016."
The Bills could save roughly $12.9 million in cap space if they released Williams. That money could be used to help re-sign left tackle Cordy Glenn or left guard Richie Incognito. Linebacker Nigel Bradham will also hit the open market this offseason.
There's no doubt that Williams has been a very good player for Buffalo. But he has just three sacks this year and is phasing out of his prime. Losing him would weaken the team in the short-term, but perhaps provide the necessary cap relief to add much-needed depth. We'll see which way the team leans this offseason.
