NFL Free Agency: How the Mario Williams Signing Will Save the Buffalo Bills

In one of the more intriguing NFL free-agency signings in recent memory, perennial Pro Bowl defensive end Mario Williams agreed to a six-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, a team many players have left for dead.

Specifics regarding the financial aspects of the contract have not yet been disclosed but the word is the deal may be as high as $100 million with $50 million guaranteed.

The signing of Williams ends three days of courtship by the Buffalo Bills who were absolutely desperate to bring in Williams, and for good reason.

With 55 sacks in his career, Williams is exactly what the Bills needed, considering they were by far the worst team in the league last year in terms of sacking and pressuring the quarterback.  But Williams coming to Buffalo means much more than just his mere production.

A team that hasn't made the playoffs since 1999, the Bills have been thought of as an NFL wasteland in recent years.  They've been unable to land any notable free agents for years, having to take the scraps from other teams and find players who were merely looking for an opportunity to stay in the league.  Oft injured linebacker Shawne Merriman is a perfect example.

With the team already playing games in Toronto, and with no hope recently of a new stadium being built in New York, the future of the Bills franchise has long been in doubt.  However, landing the prized defensive free agent of the year could do wonders for this team.

Let's first take a look on the field.  The Bills arguably already have a playoff caliber offense.  Ryan Fitzpatrick is a solid quarterback who won't put up 4,500 yards, but is more than capable of leading a good passing game.  Stevie Johnson is a Pro Bowl caliber receiver and guys like David Nelson took a step up last year.

Their running attack is led by Fred Jackson who was on his way to a possible MVP season until his year was cut short by injury.  However, 2010 first-round pick C.J. Spiller started to live up to his potential by becoming a strong dual running and receiving threat.  Their offensive line also managed to keep Fitzpatrick off the ground for much of the year.

What betrayed Buffalo's strong start last year was their defense.  Injuries did play a part in this but their starters were merely average and the team had no depth.  With no one putting consistent pressure on the quarterback, not only did Tom Brady pick them apart, but lesser quarterbacks like Matt Moore did also.  That's where Williams fits in so perfectly.

But it's off the field that Williams may make an even bigger impact.  Landing a franchise defensive player like Williams can absolutely change how other players feel about this franchise.  The signing of Williams makes Buffalo a legitimate playoff contender.  

With a lot of money at their disposal, Buffalo now can go after other free agents being able to sell the fact this team could be just a few players away from being a contender.  If the team can draft an impact defensive player with the tenth pick, and improve their depth, the Bills could certainly enter the second tier of AFC teams that includes the Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos and New York Jets. 

If the Bills could start to be a consistent playoff contender, it could possibly save this franchise.  Their owner Ralph Wilson is 93 years old, and the reality is that if he passes away, the team may move.  However, if the Bills can reverse their fortunes, contend and sell out their stadium, they may be able to find a new owner some day down the road to put a new stadium in Western New York.

Mario Williams, franchise savior?  Yes folks, his singing may mean that much to the Buffalo Bills.