On Tuesday, we brought you a report about Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams asking the Vikings about a contract extension and mentioned that the team holds a two-year option on Williams services worth more than $16 million.
It was a bit confusing why Williams was looking for an extension when he could play his way into one that already existed, but contract desires of NFL players don’t always follow the most rational line. In this case, it could be because that option doesn’t actually exist.
Tom Pellissero of ESPN1500.com reports that the Vikings don’t have any option on Williams’ services for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Jeremy Fowler of the Pioneer Press, who had the initial report of the extension request, responded that he asked Williams about the option, which has been mentioned elsewhere, and that Williams said he hoped the team picked it up. Fowler also said that Williams might have misunderstood the question, but the truth remains a bit unclear.
We regret possibly passing along bum information, but the issue isn’t all that important at the end of the day. Williams will need to play like the player he was in the second half of last season for the entire 2012 campaign if he’s going to get an extension or persuade the team to pick up his option. Contract details matter much less than staying healthy and playing well to Williams’ chances of staying in purple.