The Buffalo Bills reportedly plan to release defensive end Mario Williams at the end of the season, per the Associated Press.
Head coach Rex Ryan denied having any knowledge of this report.
“Well, I don’t know where it’s coming from or whatever,” Ryan said, via ESPN.com. “I know we have a game to play and that’s really where all of our focus is. So I don’t know where the story is coming from.”
Williams has suffered through the most disappointing season of his career. Coming off three of his best seasons prior to 2015 in which he tallied 38 sacks, the All-Pro pass-rusher has been played out of position in Ryan’s 3-4 defense all year — something he’s been vocally displeased with on more than one occasion.
No timetable has been provided by the source for this story, who spoke anonymously. However, it is expected that Williams’ final game playing in a Bills uniform will be Sunday, when Buffalo attempts to play spoiler to the New York Jets in Week 17.
The report isn’t a surprise, and it’s already been speculated that Williams would be hitting free agency after being cut by Buffalo. No doubt he’ll be picked up quickly once he is available, being one of the league’s preeminent 4-3 defensive ends.