Pros and Cons to Signing Mario Williams

Mario Williams, now a free agent, would be a huge get for Detroit. Let’s go over the good and the bad if that were to happen.

Defensive End rusher Mario Williams has been a pretty hot topic since being released after what some describe as a “falling out” with the Buffalo Bills organization. At this point, there are a couple teams that could end up signing Williams, including the Lions, so we’ve thought about both the positive and negative impacts a William signing could have on the franchise.

Pro: Williams will likely come cheap.

It’s no secret that Williams is aging as a player and that is a turnoff to some teams. No franchise wants to overpay for an aging player, so nobody will likely even take the risk. The Lions could get Williams for cheap, but would likely have to make their offer stand out among that other teams.

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The real point here being that Detroit may have to make Williams an offer that is more attractive then others, but this offer will in no way “break the bank”. On the other hand, with other younger and more talented ends up for grabs in this free agency period, Williams may have to look for the right defense in which he can succeed instead of the best contract offer.

Dec 27, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Robert Turbin (23) runs with the ball as Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams (94) pursues during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

Con: The former top overall pick isn’t getting any younger.

Williams, who was the first player selected in the 2006 draft, is now considered a veteran of the league and is by no means thought of as one of the younger players in the game, even though he’s only 31. That’s just how the game of professional football works now. William’s age will definitely not be considered as a positive, here’s why.

“Older” players are considered liabilities now after multiple occasions of older players being played large sums of money and then not being able to produce on the field. Unfortunately, as we’ve seen here in Detroit, players like to retire or at least ponder the idea at unexpected times, so you truly never know. This bit of uncertainty is what many will point out as being a negative if the Lions were to sign Mario Williams.

Pro: Williams fits Detroit’s defensive style and needs.

The potential addition of Mario Williams to Detroit’s defensive front would give the Lions two tremendously opposing rush threats in Ziggy Ansah and the aforementioned Williams. Ansah alone already causes offensive lines headaches throughout games, so imagine pairing the elite youngster with a talented veteran on the other side of the line. I’m sure just the very thought of this has some Lions fans, including yours truly, paying close attention to the situation.

I personally believe that Williams would thrive on the line alongside Ansah, but we’ll have to wait and see if both the Lions and Williams himself have the same feeling as I do. Is Williams willing to not necessarily be “the guy” in the trenches? Could Ansah and Williams really play even better together? These are questions we might never obtain answers to, but the point is that a Williams signing makes sense when talking about Detroit’s need in depth and the overall fit on defense.

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