Kevin Williams wanted $3 million at start of free agency
Kevin Williams (93) jumps on New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10). Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Former Minnesota Vikings star defensive tackle Kevin Williams is still going strong at the age of 33, and the three-tech has generated a little bit of interest on the free agent market this offseason. After visiting the New York Giants in mid-April and leaving without a deal, Williams worked out for the Seattle Seahawks earlier this week. Both teams lost a talented DT in free agency this year (Linval Joseph left the Giants for the Vikings, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Clinton McDonald as the starter next to Gerald McCoy), so Williams would make plenty of sense as a veteran addition at the position. Neither team truly needs Williams, but he would be a nice addition to their defensive lines.
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Williams has stated that he is planning on retiring, unless if a team like the Seahawks or Giants gives him a significant amount of money. It’s unclear what his price tag is, but FOX Sports’s Alex Marvez reports that the former superstar wanted to get at least $3 million annually at the beginning of free agency. It will be interesting to see if his price tag has dropped off since then, but it’s clear that the 11-year veteran (every one of those seasons was with the Vikings) wants to receive a significant payday in order to play.
I doubt either the Seahawks or Giants would be willing to spend $3 million on him and would probably prefer to save that money, but Williams isn’t a bad deal on a one-year deal worth $3 million. I’m sure most teams would rather give a player of his age a deal with incentives instead, but Williams was very good in 2012 and 2013; he’s declined but is still an effective run defender and solid pass rusher up the middle.