It’s not as bad as his infamous whiff of a tackle in the “Minneapolis Miracle” when he played for the New Orleans Saints, but Marcus Williams’ time with the Baltimore Ravens is also coming to a sad end.
According to ESPN, the Ravens are planning on releasing the safety ahead of March 13 free agency. He was benched last season and made only five interceptions in three disappointing seasons in Baltimore. His tackle totals declined each season, as well.
Writes NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler on social media: “#Ravens safety Marcus Williams is preparing for free agency with the full expectation that Baltimore releases him, per source. A recent contract restructure includes a significant trigger March 13.”
Williams is still only 28, but the Ravens are prepared to move on without him. Baltimore ended the season giving playing time to Ar’Darius Washington and Kyle Hamilton at safety with Marlon Humphrey seeing significant time as the Nickel safety.
Baltimore has to make a decision on starting cornerback Brandon Stephens, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in two weeks.
This Williams news is not surprising, as he was replaced by Washington in December and Baltimore’s pass defense significantly improved. The Ravens will take on a good bit of dead money by cutting Williams, though they could release him with a post-June 1 designation to soften the blow. Such a move would free up $2.1 million in cap space and leave roughly $6.7 million in dead money.
A 2017 second-round pick by the Saints, Williams signed a five-year deal worth $70 million with the Ravens in 2022.
