MARCUS WILLIAMS NEWS

Saints 2022 free agency tracker: Deonte Harty gets second-round tender; Marcus Williams to sign with Ravens Our Saints free-agent tracker will cover every personnel move, big or small, serving as a placeholder for all Saints non-draft transactions.

MARCH 15, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Reports: Marcus Williams Agrees to Five-Year Deal With Ravens Playmaking safety Marcus Williams Reportedly Agrees to Five-Year Deal With Ravens

MARCH 15, 2022 • BALTIMORERAVENS.COM

Signs huge deal with Baltimore Williams has agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract with the Ravens, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Impact After playing under a franchise tag in New Orleans last season, Williams will head to Baltimore to replace fellow free agent DeShon Elliott (pectoral) as the Ravens' starting free safety. A 2017 second-round pick, Williams started 14 or more games in each of his five seasons with the Saints, averaging 64 tackles, 7.6 pass defenses and 3.0 interceptions per season. He earned a top-10 PFF grade among safeties for four of those five campaigns, and he's one of the younger players from the 2017 draft class (he'll turn 26 in September, a few days before Baltimore's season opener).

MARCH 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marcus Williams New Potential Salary Range Revealed The expected salary range for New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Williams in free agency has been revealed.

MARCH 14, 2022 • FANDUEL.COM

Saints face crucial decisions with Armstead, Williams, other free agents

The Saints once again enter the offseason in the salary-cap pits. How should New Orleans approach free agency?

FEBRUARY 20, 2022 • FOX SPORTS

Plays well on franchise tag Williams registered 74 tackles, eight pass breakups, two interceptions and one forced fumble over 16 games in 2021.

Impact While his numbers aren't great for IDP purposes, Williams kept establishing himself as a top free safety in the league while setting a new career high in tackles along the way. Retaining his services will seemingly be a top priority for New Orleans this offseason. However, it's fair to wonder if the 25-year-old priced himself outside of the team's budget, considering the Saints are currently projected to be $60 million over the salary cap. If he does take his talents elsewhere, it would be a big hit to a defense that allowed the sixth-lowest completion rate in 2021.

JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for Week 18 Williams was a full participant at Wednesday's practice.

Impact The safety was not on the injury report to open the week Wednesday after missing Week 17 while dealing with COVID-19. Williams will return just in time to return to his starting role in the Saints' secondary ahead of a must-win Week 18 game versus the Falcons.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Williams (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Panthers.

Impact Williams was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, but he was listed as questionable and has now been ruled out for Week 17. In his absence, P.J. Williams is expected to draw the start at free safety.

JANUARY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Week 17 Williams (illness) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday but remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Impact That may mean that Williams has yet to clear the league's health and safety protocols in regards to testing negative. If he's unable to play, P.J. Williams would likely step in at free safety.

JANUARY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on COVID list Williams (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, John Sigler of USA Today reports.

Impact The Saints returned numerous players from the COVID-19 list Wednesday, but Williams is now caught in the health and safety protocols. His availability for Sunday's matchup with the Panthers is now up in the air. P.J. Williams could be more involved in the secondary if Marcus Williams is unable to play Week 17.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Easton vs Phillipsburg football preview: Annual Thanksgiving Day game returns for 114th rivalry meeting Thanks to a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck, Marcus Williams will return to Easton’s lineup healthy for Thursday’s Thanksgiving Da...

NOVEMBER 24, 2021 • MCALL.COM

Seven tackles in Week 9 Williams had seven tackles (six solo) during Sunday's 27-25 loss to the Falcons.

Impact Williams has 15 tackles over his last two games, but he only has 22 tackles across his other six contests this season. The 25-year-old safety continues to play a prominent role in the Saints secondary, playing 99 to 100 percent of their defensive snaps on a weekly basis, but his production hasn't been consistent.

NOVEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ties season high in stops Williams recorded eight tackles (five solo) in a 36-27 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Impact Williams' eight tackles tied a season high, while his five solo tackles were his most of the season. The 2017 second-round selection continues to be a leader in the Saints secondary, playing 99-to-100 percent of the snaps on a weekly basis. Williams now has 30 tackles on the season to go with two picks and four passes defensed.

NOVEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Makes plays in Week 4 loss Williams had six tackles (four solo), one pass breakup, one interception and one forced fumble during the Saints' loss to the Giants in Week 4.

Impact Williams is attractive as an IDP asset mostly due to his big-play ability, rather than his tackling floor, but he's come through for managers through the first four weeks of the season. Thus far, Williams has 17 total tackles, three pass breakups, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

The News-Star It was never a matter of when running back Marcus Williams Jr. would be successful but where.

OCTOBER 1, 2021 • THENEWSSTAR.COM

Easton football's Marcus Williams and Stroudsburg tennis' Paraskevi Briegel are Athlete of the Week winners Easton football player Marcus Williams and Stroudsburg tennis player Paraskevi Briegel are our Athlete of the Week winners for Week 1 of the...

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • MCALL.COM

No agreement on long-term deal Williams and the Saints did not agree on a long-term contract before last week's deadline, George Faust of KLFY reports.

Impact The two sides won't be allowed to resume contract negotiations until next offseason. Williams thus will play the 2021 campaign under the franchise tag at a price of $10.6 million, which represents the Saints' largest cap hit of the season in the absence of a high-priced quarterback.

JULY 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Accepts franchise tag Williams signed his franchise tag Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Williams is expected to continue negotiating a long-term deal with the Saints. The 24-year-old safety has started in all 60 of his NFL appearances, and he's recorded at least 55 tackles in each of his first four seasons. The 2017 second-round pick has also collected 30 pass breakups and 13 interceptions.

MARCH 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged by cap-strapped Saints The Saints are giving Williams a franchise tag, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact It's surprising given the team's cap situation, but less surprising when we consider that Williams is one of the league's top players at one of the cheaper positions. The Saints can lower the 2021 cap hit with a long-term contract or a tag-and-trade, or they can just find other ways to become compliant. Williams has 60 starts and 13 INTs to his name through four pro seasons.

MARCH 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Solid fourth-year production Williams totaled 59 tackles (39 solo), seven passes defended and three interceptions across 14 regular-season games in 2020.

Impact He's now picked off 13 passes through his first four seasons and racked up at least 50 tackles in each campaign. Williams has been a key contributor on New Orleans' defense since arriving in the league, though his future with the team is unclear as he's set to become a free agent in 2021.

JANUARY 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Garners full practice workload Williams (ankle) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Impact Williams' status is looking promising for the Saints' wild-card matchup against Chicago, with the safety already having overcome practice restrictions from Wednesday. Given that New Orleans doesn't kick off until Sunday at 4:40 pm EST, Williams will be afforded extra recovery opportunity compared to players in earlier time slots. The 24-year-old is in line to make his first appearance since suffering a low-ankle sprain Week 15 against Kansas City, and his presence in the lineup will be welcomed. The opposing Bears had scored 30-plus points in four straight games before being stymied to the tune of 16 points by the Packers in the regular-season finale.

JANUARY 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in Wednesday's practice Williams (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's injury report.

Impact Williams has missed the past two games due to an ankle injury, but it looks like he's beginning to improve as he was able to participate in some of Wednesday's practice. Expect P.J. Williams to continue taking over the safety's duties if Marcus Williams remains injured for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Bears.

JANUARY 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE