Mario Williams to Bills: Buffalo Signs Stud Defender

After three days of courtship, the Buffalo Bills have made the biggest free-agent splash in franchise history as they have reportedly signed Pro Bowl defensive end Mario Williams, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

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And @mortreport reports the Bills will have a 1:30 press conference to announce the signing of Mario Williams.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2012"

Schefter passed along the deal's likely value, as well: 

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Mario Williams' deal in Buffalo: six years, up to $100 million, including $50 million guaranteed.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2012"

Schefter passes along the contract's length:

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Mario Williams gets a six-year deal from the Buffalo Bills.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2012"

Jason La Canfora of NFL Network says $50 million guaranteed is within reason, but contract terms have not been released:

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Don't have official numbers on Mario Williams in BUF yet, but been hearing $16M a year with $50M guaranteed not out of the question

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 15, 2012"

The move may come as a shock to most as the Bills have traditionally been quite conservative in free agency. Clearly, the organization identified Williams as a top priority and did everything possible to reel in the biggest free-agent fish on defense.

Members of the Bills' brass picked up Williams via private jet in North Carolina and flew him back to Buffalo on Tuesday evening, according to Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News. Once there, Williams dined with general manager Buddy Nix, CEO Russ Brandon, head coach Chan Gailey, defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt and defensive tackle Kyle Williams.

The saga didn't end there, however, as Williams stayed the night despite multiple reports that he had other visits lined up. Williams met with the Bills for much of the day on Wednesday and even took a physical. Later in the day he picked up his fiance from the airport, and the couple spent the rest of the day touring the city.

There were again rumors that Williams would be leaving for other scheduled visits, but he stayed the night on Wednesday and returned to One Bills Drive on Thursday. It was there that Williams and the organization orchestrated a deal that will make him the team's cornerstone for years to come.

The Bills have been an afterthought for more than a decade after reaching four consecutive Super Bowls in the early 1990s. Williams will undoubtedly remind Bills fans of a former great who wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks during those glory days—Hall of Famer Bruce Smith.

Buffalo was 27th in the league in sacks last season and has been near the bottom in that category for the past several years. With Wannstedt taking over as the defensive coordinator this season, the Bills are switching back to a 4-3 from a 3-4, meaning Williams will return to his natural position of defensive end.

Before a torn pectoral muscle ended his season after five games last season, Williams was excelling in his new role as a linebacker in the Houston Texans' 3-4 defense. Even so, Williams has had plenty of success as an end in the NFL with four straight seasons of at least 8.5 sacks from 2007 through 2010, including a career-high 14 in 2007.

The addition of Williams will likely give the Bills one of the best defensive lines in football. The other end will likely be occupied by high-motor veteran Chris Kelsay, but the inside tandem of Pro Bowler Kyle Williams and young stud Marcell Dareus will be an excellent complement to Mario's pass-rushing ability.

In an AFC East division that features the New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady, a strong pass rush is a necessity. Not only will Williams make the Bills better equipped to compete with the Pats, but his mere presence will make every unit of the defense better, including the secondary, which will benefit from Williams getting to the passer.

Williams, who stands 6'6" and weighs 285 lbs., is just 27 years old, so the Bills will be getting an elite pass rusher in his prime. The Texans, who selected him No. 1 overall in 2006, were unable to re-sign him as they were up against the salary cap. Their loss is certainly the Buffalo's gain.

The Bills have been out of the national spotlight for quite some time, but thanks to the signing of Williams, they are the talk of the league. Buffalo now stands a good chance of putting an end to the NFL's longest postseason drought.