Report: Bills planning to cut Mario Williams in offseason
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - A person with direct knowledge of discussions has told The Associated Press that the Buffalo Bills plan to cut high-priced defensive end Mario Williams this offseason.
The person spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because the team does not publicly discuss player personnel plans.
No timetable was provided as to when Williams will be cut, but the person said the team's top pass-rushing threat will be playing his final game for Buffalo on Sunday, when the Bills (7-8) close the season hosting the New York Jets (10-5).
Williams has become expendable because his contract is deemed to be too expensive, and also because he has struggled to make the transition to the defensive system introduced by first-year coach Rex Ryan. Williams has two years left on the six-year, $100 million contract he signed in free agency in 2012.
He is set make an $11.5 million base salary next year. By cutting Williams, the Bills will save more than $12 million under the NFL's salary cap.