Anticipation within the league is growing that the Baltimore Ravens will cut safety, Marcus Williams, before free agency. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Williams is facing the expectation that the Ravens will release him sooner rather than later after restructuring his deal that designates him as a post-June 1 cut. Originally selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the former Utah product attempted to establish as a reliable safety in Ravens secondary after becoming the team’s leading tackler in 2022 before suffering a brutal injury that kept him out that year. Williams continued to fight injuries into the following year with a torn pec until finally in 2024, he got perhaps what was his last chance with the Ravens.
The veteran’s production has been declining causing the Ravens to have one of the worst secondaries this past year. Head coach John Harbaugh made a switch at the position, favoring Ar’Darius Washington over Williams for the starting role. The Ravens secondary unit massively improved since adjusting so it’s clear to see the team will be moving on sooner than expected. Meanwhile, Williams was inactive even as a healthy scratch so he lost his job already from the jump.
The Ravens’ latest contract restructure with Williams includes a “significant trigger” that comes due on March 13 so the team will likely release him before that happens. Williams might not be the same player he once was but could revive his career with these five teams.
ESPN: “Full Expectation” Ravens Will Cut $70 Million Bust Marcus Williams
Next Possible Teams
New Orleans Saints
A reunion with the New Orleans Saints should be in the plans. The team doesn’t have the financial liberty to drastically improve their secondary after trading veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore last year to the Washington Commanders. Meanwhile, Paulson Adebo will test free agency and safety veteran Tyrann Mathieu could be cut to budget its woes. The Saints probably have no other choice but to bring back Williams on a friendly one-year contract to help revitalize this secondary unit back on its feet.
Los Angeles Chargers
As for the Chargers, they have money to burn which means the secondary could look very different this season. Los Angeles will probably move on from Derwin James in free agency so that will leave Alohi Gilman as the lone active man as the starter. However, they’ve already done their part of signing Elijah Molden to an extension. Despite that, they could bring in Williams on a lucrative two-year deal to give some depth behind Gilman and whoever will become the new starting safety.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have a new cap casualty on their hands this offseason in safety Donovan Wilson. However, the team has one of the weakest depth in the league when it boils down to their safety unit. Malik Hooker is the only reliable man in that pass unit but they could bring in a cheap Marcus Williams to give the Cowboys some additional experience.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are in a similar situation just like the Cowboys so they don’t have the spending money to afford a high-end safety to replace impending free agent Justin Reid. However, Bryan Cook is going to need some type of help in that unit if the Chiefs want to see him excel. Williams is not a versatile safety but with a bargain steal, he probably won’t disappoint if it’s with the Chiefs.
Carolina Panthers
Meanwhile, the Panthers need just about any help to improve the team’s secondary unit. Cornerback Jaycee Horn is conducting contract talks with Carolina with no realistic path so the Panthers need help. They don’t get it back from Xavier Woods who is a free agent this offseason so this means they could find a way to fit Williams to revive the Panthers pass defense.
The post ESPN: “Full Expectation” Ravens Will Cut $70 Million Bust appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.