Mario Williams: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Bills DE's Future

Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams is a candidate to be cut after the 2015 season.

Continue for updates.

---

Whaley Comments on Williams' Future

Monday, Jan. 4

Bills general manager Doug Whaley told reporters there won't be any "knee-jerk reaction" surrounding Williams' future in Buffalo. He added that Williams' "fit" and "desire to be [in Buffalo]" will be evaluated.

---

Bills Reportedly Plan to Cut Williams

Thursday, Dec. 31

John Wawrow of the Associated Press reported the Bills intend to release Williams this offseason. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirmed the report is accurate.

On Dec. 20, Rapoport, via Conor Orr, Williams is unhappy with head coach Rex Ryan's scheme and that "there is a 'clear, fundamental disconnect' between Ryan and his defensive line."

"Williams missed [a] team meeting this past week, per [a] source," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported. "Williams told [the] Bills he was sick, [but] not everyone there believed it."

---

Williams' High Price Tag May Deter Bills

With Williams' numbers being down this season and Spotrac indicating that the defensive end is due $8.4 million in bonuses in 2016, the Bills may decide to cut the veteran to free up cap space, allowing him to again hit free agency.

Williams, 30, had been excellent for the Bills since signing with the team in 2012. This year was a struggle, however, as he registered just 19 tackles and five sacks. After notching 38 sacks in his first three seasons in Buffalo, he had the least productive season of his 10-year career in 2015.

One issue, per Orr, is Williams was asked to shoulder more responsibility in the run game and hasn't bought into his new role. He admitted in December that he was still adjusting to the new system.

"If you've got a different view, if you've got a different look, a different perspective from what you are accustomed to doing, then it is definitely not out of the question to feel like you're still adjusting to it," Williams told Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News.

But Williams was always likely to be a candidate for release, given that he'll cost $19.9 million against the cap next season, one of the highest cap hits in the NFL. The team would save $12.9 million by letting him go.

That's money the Bills could put to good use elsewhere, like on the offensive line with Cordy Glenn and Richie Incognito. At the moment, it seems likely Williams will be one of the top free agents to hit the market prior to the 2016 season.