D.J. Williams opened last season as the starting middle linebacker for the Bears, but his run in the job came to an early end when a torn pectoral muscle forced him to injured reserve after six games.
Williams will get another chance to make an impact on the Bears defense. The team announced that they have re-signed Williams to a one-year deal that General Manager Phil Emery hinted was coming at the combine.
“I saw a good football player,” Emery said, via the Chicago Tribune. “Saw a guy who has legitimately very good burst. Saw a player who has good instincts, gets around the ball and plays with a relentless style. We were not displeased with his effort. We were very pleased with where he was going and how he was progressing.”
Williams, who also missed time in the preseason with a calf injury, recorded 39 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and one forced fumble in his brief time in Chicago’s lineup last season. Jon Bostic took over in the middle when Williams went down and the two will likely compete for the job again this offseason.