Bills DT Kyle Williams Announces NFL Retirement After 13 Seasons with Buffalo

The Buffalo Bills announced Friday that veteran defensive tackle Kyle Williams will retire following Sunday's 2018 season finale against the Miami Dolphins.

Williams explained his decision in an open letter to Bills fans:

The 35-year-old Williams will retire having played his entire 13-year NFL career with the Bills.

Albert Breer of The MMQB was one of many who tweeted kind words following the announcement:

Buffalo selected Williams in the fifth round of the 2006 draft out of LSU, and he went on to become one of the most productive defensive linemen in team history.

The Ruston, Louisiana, native is a five-time Pro Bowler who has registered 48.5 career sacks in 182 regular-season games, including a career-high 10.5 sacks in 2013.

This season, Williams has recorded 31 tackles, five tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits and five sacks, and he was named a first alternate for the AFC Pro Bowl team for the 5-10 Bills.

In a Week 17 victory over the Miami Dolphins last season, Williams rushed for the game-winning touchdown, which helped the Bills improve to 9-7.

The Cincinnati Bengals then miraculously beat the Baltimore Ravens on a last-second touchdown pass from Andy Dalton to Tyler Boyd, which resulted in Williams' first career playoff appearance.

With Buffalo out of playoff contention this season, Sunday's game at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York, will likely be a celebration of Williams' illustrious career.

He considered retirement last offseason before signing a one-year deal, and he ranks fifth on the Bills' all-time sack list behind only all-time NFL sack leader Bruce Smith, Aaron Schobel, Phil Hansen and Cornelius Bennett.

Given his accomplishments and loyalty to the franchise, Williams will almost certainly find his name on the Bills' Wall of Fame in the near future.

With Williams gone, look for 2018 third-round pick Harrison Phillips—who has often been compared to Williams—to step into the starting lineup next season.