Less than nine months after signing him to a lucrative three-year contract, the Seahawks have decided to move on from Cary Williams. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), Seattle is releasing the veteran cornerback.
After spending several seasons as a starting cornerback for the Ravens and Eagles, Williams signed a three-year, $18MM deal in March with the Seahawks, looking to step in as a replacement for departed free agent Byron Maxwell. However, the 30-year-old has struggled this season, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 102nd out of 118 qualified cornerbacks. Williams was inactive for the Seahawks’ last two games, coinciding with Jeremy Lane‘s activation to the 53-man roster.
Because Williams’ 2015 salary was fully guaranteed, Seattle will remain on the hook for his full $3.5MM salary and $4.667MM cap hit for this year. Assuming Williams goes unclaimed on waivers, he’ll count for about $2.333MM in dead money against Seattle’s 2016 cap.
Good riddance. He has been beaten all year. Sign a respectable FA replacement, or draft a top tier CB in the draft…somebody who can bring the BOOM.