National Football League

Seahawks, needing to bolster secondary, reportedly to add Cary Williams

Published Mar. 10, 2015 1:23 a.m. ET

foxsports

RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks are trying to bolster their beat-up secondary.

A person with knowledge of the negotiations says free agent cornerback Cary Williams intends on signing with the Seahawks when NFL free agency officially begins. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Monday night on condition of anonymity because agreements with free agents cannot be announced until the new NFL league year begins on Tuesday.

Williams fits a need for Seattle after injuries have left them thin in the secondary. The Seahawks are expected to lose Byron Maxwell to Philadelphia in free agency and have injury concerns regarding Jeremy Lane and Tharold Simon, leaving Seattle needing additional bodies at its most talented position group headed into next season.

The National Football Post first reported Williams' decision.

Williams started every game the past four seasons, two of those with Philadelphia and two with Baltimore. Last season, he had 59 tackles, nine passes defensed and two interceptions for the Eagles. Williams has nine interceptions over the past three seasons.

Williams was thrown at plenty during his two seasons in Philadelphia. According to STATS, Williams was targeted 96 times last season -- tied for 11th most in the NFL -- and allowed 51 receptions. In 2013, his first season with the Eagles, Williams was targeted 124 times, the most in the NFL.

But Seattle needs depth and at 6 feet 1, Williams fits the body type the Seahawks wants in their cornerbacks. Along with the injuries to Lane and Simon, All-Pro Richard Sherman will be slowed during the off-season due to an elbow injury suffered in the NFC Championship Game.

Williams' decision came after reported meetings with Tennessee and the New York Jets, and he would be the second cornerback acquired by the Seahawks. Former Jacksonville cornerback Will Blackmon signed with Seattle on Monday after two seasons with the Jaguars.