According to multiple reports, the Las Vegas Raiders plan to part ways with veteran wideout Tyrell Williams. The release is expected to take place at the start of the new league year in March.
Williams joined the Raiders in 2019 and had 42 catches for 651 yards and six touchdowns in his first year with the team. The 28-year-old player didn’t see the field in 2020, however, injuring his shoulder in training camp and having to undergo season-ending surgery.
It made sense for the Raiders to move on from Williams, considering that he’s still not fully healthy and ready to play. And even when he returns to action, there are no guarantees that he could be an impact player right away, which is something that Las Vegas badly needs if they want to end their postseason drought.
Another key reason is Williams’ contract, which is set to pay him $11 million in each of the next two years. He has no guaranteed money left on the deal, so releasing him will give the Raiders significant salary-cap relief.
The majority of the money that Las Vegas saves with this move will most likely go to Nelson Agholor’s new contract. Agholor used Williams’ absence to carve a role for himself on the Raiders’ offense, which resulted in 48 receptions for 896 yards and eight touchdowns.
Tyrell Williams entered the league in 2015, signing with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of Western Oregon. He has a total of 197 career-catches for 3,181 yards and 23 scores.
Despite the injury issues, Williams should have no problem getting a chance with another team in 2021. But it likely won’t be for $11 million.
