In a statement released by the Seattle Seahawks Monday, the team has released cornerback Cary Williams. Williams did not play up to his three-year, $18 million contract, and he was benched after starting the first 10 games this season. He was immediately inserted as the starter opposite Richard Sherman to replace Byron Maxwell, who signed with Williams’ former team, the Philadelphia Eagles. DeShawn Shead was inserted into the starting lineup in Williams’ place and has performed well, while Jeremy Lane has added depth since being activated from the physically-unable-to-perform list two weeks ago.
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NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport first reported news of Williams’ release on Monday, which was confirmed to seattlepi.com by the a source close to the team. Here’s the breakdown: Williams’ $5 million base salary plus $1,666,667 in signing-bonus proration would have amounted to a $6,166,667 cap number for 2016. Coach Pete Carroll also said Monday that Lane will push Shead for playing time. Not all were Williams’ fault, but the last two weeks without Williams (vs. PIT, MIN), the Seahawks allowed 11 receptions for 76 yards, and no touchdowns or 25-plus yard plays.
Williams was a healthy inactive on Sunday for the Seahawks 38-7 victory against the Minnesota Vikings. “You’re not worth a darn on defense if you’re giving up a bunch of explosive plays”, Carroll said. He worked hard in practice and all of that, his attitude was excellent.
Williams’ struggled to pick up Seattle’s cornerback technique and his tendency to give up deep passes eventually led the Seahawks to sour on him as a starter.
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Can veteran CBs adjust? Williams, Antoine Winfield and Will Blackmon (twice) were all free-agent additions that didn’t pan out. Every drafted cornerback that has panned out for Seattle under its current regime had time to develop before playing regularly on defense whereas free agents are usually brought in to contribute right away.
