The Baltimore Ravens have secured some smart, bargain-friendly contracts this season, but defensive lineman Brandon Williams‘ contract is not one of them.
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report recently revealed a list of every NFL team’s worst contract in 2021. His definition of a bad contract is “a poor deal happens when an individual underperforms after he signs for an exorbitant amount.”
For the Ravens, Brandon Williams was chosen as the player with the worst contract on the team. Sobleski explains:
"“He’s now 32-years-old and not the same caliber of player he once was. The veteran interior defender is also dealing with a shoulder injury that has cost him the last three games…Williams’ $12.9 million cap hit this season is practically guaranteed. But the Ravens can be free and clear of his deal going into the next offseason if the organization chooses to go in another direction.”"
Williams has a lot of things going against him this season: he’s 32 and rehabbing a shoulder injury, but his performances of late haven’t warranted what the Ravens are paying him.
Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams may be getting paid more than he deserves in 2021
The defensive tackle enters his ninth year in Baltimore, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2018 when he played in all 16 regular season games racking up 34 tackles, three tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, and one sack.
Williams is currently in the last year of a five-year contract extension he signed prior to the 2017 season, and Baltimore should be thankful his time is almost up.
So far in 2021, he’s taken a far step back from his usual dependable form. He owns a 43.5 overall PFF grade and 30.8 run-defense grade which ranks 126th out of 129 interior defensive linemen.
Williams’ production has declined in recent years but has been particularly troublesome this year, as he’s become nearly ineffectual defending against the run.
The longtime Ravens lineman will likely be gone after this season as Baltimore looks to rebuild critical areas of their defense.
Williams had a long and decorative career as a Raven, but his time in Baltimore should be coming to an end rather soon.