Ravens parting with Ty’Son Williams is the right move

The Baltimore Ravens and running back Ty’Son Williams enjoyed a very, very short time together, but it’s best for both parties to move on in 2022.

On Tuesday, the Ravens withdrew the exclusive rights free agent tender to Ty’Son Williams, officially making him a free agent who can sign anywhere.

After the news was announced, Williams posted on social media that there were no hard feelings between him and the Ravens franchise and that he was grateful for getting an opportunity in Baltimore.

After J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards suffered season-ending injuries, Williams was ready to step up into the lead ball-carrier role for the team in 2021.

This was Williams’ first year in Baltimore, having gone undrafted that year, but he impressed enough in the preseason to win a starting job and at the time, he seemed like a young and explosive answer to Baltimore’s injury-plagued run game.

But his lack of experience ended up hurting him the most, and he eventually ceded his role to veterans like Latavius Murray and Devonta Freeman, both of whom enjoyed much more productive seasons than Williams.

Williams recorded just 35 carries for 185 yards and one touchdown in 13 games, ranked fifth-best on the team behind even backup QB Tyler Huntley.

The 25-year-old went from playing more than half of offensive snaps in Week 1 to only playing special teams snaps in Week 10, and at that point, the Ravens were simply no longer including him in their offensive plans.

The Ravens effectively release Ty’Son Williams from the team in 2022

Some would argue Williams didn’t get enough opportunities, as the young running back rushed for 137 yards over his first two games but only had 48 rushing yards for the rest of the season.

John Harbaugh suggested Williams’ lack of playing time may have resulted from his inconsistent performances and Williams not embodying a “complete” running back.

Williams could have proved his coaches wrong in 2022, but this seems to be more of a scheme fit issue than anything else. Parting ways with Williams after a forgettable first year is the only sensible thing to do, and both the Ravens and Williams will be better off for it.

Baltimore’s running back corps has since gotten quite crowded with Dobbins, Edwards, Justice Hill, newly signed Mike Davis, and rookie Tyler Badie all competing for snaps.

Heading into 2022, no running back is a sure lock for the starting spot, especially since Dobbins and Edwards likely won’t be healthy until training camp.

Ultimately, the Ravens made two smart moves in the span of a week: cut a player who just didn’t mesh well, and sign one who potentially could.

Baltimore wishes nothing but the best to Ty’Son Williams and hopes he finds success elsewhere.