Mario Williams Rumors: Staying with Texans Is Williams' Best Shot at Super Bowl

Don't fret just yet, Houston Texans fans—there is a chance Mario Williams will return to your team.

And the odds are better than you might think, at least according Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk:

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When the Texans didn’t apply the franchise tag last Monday to linebacker Mario Williams, many assumed that the first pick in the 2006 draft would soon be picking his next team.  While that may indeed be the case, the Texans aren’t out of the hunt to keep Williams, yet.

A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that, as of right now, there’s a 50-50 chance that Williams will remain with the Texans.

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Now, there is no question that Williams would have to be willing to take a hometown discount to remain in Houston, a pretty big sticking point considering he could become the highest paid defensive player in history if he hits the free-agent market.

I'm all for loyalty, but it wouldn't be easy for anyone to turn down money that big.

On the other hand, the Texans can offer something I don't believe most other teams in the NFL can—the potential to be Super Bowl contenders for the next five years.

I truly believe the Texans would have advanced to the Super Bowl this year had Matt Schaub not been lost for the year. And I only see this team getting better.

Sure, there are potential suitors out there that could make a Super Bowl run in the near future. The New England Patriots come to mind as a good fit, but their core is aging and that defense needs a lot more than Williams to improve.

No, remaining in Houston and taking the hometown discount is probably Williams' safest bet to win a Super Bowl or two.

But whether that is worth more than the millions of dollars he'll be leaving on the table remains to be seen.

Hit me up on Twitter—all of my tweets are Cinderella stories.