The Cardinals are in line to keep another member of their tight end room. The team is giving Maxx Williams a one-year deal, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). 
[RELATED: Cardinals, Zach Ertz Closing In On Deal]
Williams, who will be 28 at the start of next season, has spent the past campaigns seasons in Arizona. That was preceded by four years in Baltimore, after the Ravens drafted him in the second round in 2015. He totalled 497 receiving yards in 42 games with the Ravens, which included 21 starts.
In Arizona, the Minnesota product has put up an identical number of yards, in this case needing 12 fewer games to do so. Not surprisingly, that production has come as a result of greater playing time. He snap percentage has increased in each of the last three years, reaching 66% in 2021. He was off to an impressive start this season, but suffered a torn ACL in Week 5.
Even with Ertz back, then, Williams has cared out a role for himself in the team’s offense. With receiver Christian Kirk having signed with the Jaguars, the veteran could also be in line for an increase in targets. In any event, Williams’ blocking ability should continue to earn him plenty of time on the field for what was one of the league’s top offenses in 2021.
If he can get back to how he looked before the injury, he’ll have a huge market next offseason. He finally looked like the guy he was supposed to be coming out, and one of the better receiving/blocking combo tight ends in a league where not a whole lot of guys are valuable at both.
Word is he got a MAXX Contract !