A parting of the ways between the Bills and defensive end Mario Williams has been widely presumed for months thanks to Williams’ complaints about the team’s scheme, complaints from the team about Williams and the nearly $13 million in cap space that the team would recover by releasing the veteran.
No move has been made yet, though, and Williams told Josina Anderson of ESPN.com that he’s still open to finding a way to make things work in Buffalo. Williams referenced his earlier comments about the defense, saying that he thinks “the guys who get after the quarterback can get more opportunities to do that” and that he believes there’s middle ground that can be reached.
“Yes most definitely,” Williams said. “I love my team. I love my teammates. Everything has been fine. It’s just a matter of if there can be a better understanding of being able to do what we do..at least meet half way. That’s all, meet halfway.”
Williams suggested he’d consider a pay cut from $11.5 million to facilitate staying with the team. He said it “all depends on what is happening,” but that his desire to stay with the team is “bigger than just numbers.” The Bills need cap space as they work to re-sign tackle Cordy Glenn and guard Richie Incognito, although it remains to be seen if they want it and Williams or just the cap space.