Ravens restructure the contract of veteran NT Brandon Williams
On Friday the Baltimore Ravens freed up some cap space ahead of the season opener by reworking the contract of veteran defensive linemen Brandon Williams. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the team opened up an additional $3 million in cap room as a result of the restructure.
Williams is entering his eighth season in the league was set to have non-guaranteed salaries of $9.25 million and $9.5 million in 2020 and 2021. Under the revised terms of his reworked contract, the base value of it will drop to $15.75 million but he will now have $8.25 million in guaranteed money.
The Pro Bowl interior defensive lineman has established himself as one of the elite run defenders in the league since entering the league as a 2013 third-round pick out of Division II Missouri Southern. He will be returning to his natural position at nose tackle this season that he thrived in early on in his career following the departure of Michael Pierce in free agency this offseason.
According to Pro Football Focus, he has been the 91st ranked defensive lineman in the league since 2017 but prior to that when he was lined up over centers at the zero-technique spot, he was ranked fourth. The move back the position where he made a name for himself coupled with the arrival of fellow veterans Derek Wolfe and Calais Campbell should help him recapture his former glory.
Last season Williams recorded 34 total tackles, including two for loss, five quarterback hits, one sack, and a fumble recovery in 14 games. He is a key cog in the Ravens run defense which has suffered mightily whenever he has missed time with an injury.
