Bengals sign safety Williams to 4-year extension

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed safety Shawn Williams to a four-year contract extension.

The deal has a $19.5-million base value with another $2 million available in incentives, according to FOX Sports' Mike Garafolo.

The fourth-year pro is a relative unknown to many NFL fans, but the Bengals are believed to view Williams as a player on the rise, and someone who can step in to departed safety Reggie Nelson's old starting role.

Williams appeared in 16 games last season and made four starts. He finished the season with 32 tackles and added five passes defensed and two interceptions.