Mario Williams’ time in Buffalo appears to be nearing its end.
According to NFL.com, the former No. 1 overall pick is unhappy in Buffalo and might be having a hard time getting along with coach Rex Ryan.
Ryan’s Bills are worse across the board than they were a year ago under then-defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, and according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, Schwartz is missed among some of the players on defense.
One of those players is Mario Williams, who hasn’t been shy about voicing his concerns with the scheme this season. Per Rapoport, don’t be surprised if Williams doesn’t return to Buffalo next season and hits the free-agent market. There is a “clear, fundamental disconnect” between Ryan and his defensive line and Williams might be at the heart of the trouble.
This report doesn’t explicitly say that Williams and Ryan are butting heads, but that seems to be the implication.
As NFL.com points out, it makes sense for the Bills to cut ties with Williams, who is four years into a six-year, $96 million contract, with the $31.4 million in guaranteed money already paid out. Whether due to Ryan’s scheme or the 30-year-old’s declining ability, Williams has only four sacks this season after hitting double digits in each of his first three seasons in Buffalo.
The Bills are currently 6-7 on the periphery of the AFC Wild Card race.
Earlier this week, Williams called in sick to several team commitments, but was active for the Bills in their game with the Redskins on Sunday.
Mario Williams missed team meeting this past week, per source. Williams told Bills he was sick, not everyone there believed it.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 20, 2015
As @AdamSchefter said, Bills DE Mario Williams missed a team meeting this week. I'm told he was absent from several commitments. Was sick.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 20, 2015
If the Bills cut Williams, he likely won’t need long to find a new home, somewhere far from Rex Ryan.
Will be a coveted FA, a la Julius Peppers in 2014 https://t.co/61VmWM7kgt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 20, 2015
[NFL.com]
