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The Pittsburgh Steelers are continuing to make moves on their offseason roster up until the 2021 NFL Draft. On the same day they brought back quarterback Joshua Dobbs, it is being reported the team is bringing back inside linebacker Vince Williams.
This per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN:
The Steelers are re-signing linebacker Vince Williams, per sources. He had other offers but wanted to stay in Pittsburgh.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 14, 2021
On Thursday, the Steelers announced the signing was official.
We have signed LB Vince Williams to a one-year deal. @BordasLaw https://t.co/2HZuAWh0Kb
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 15, 2021
The difference between the return of Dobbs and the return of Williams is Dobbs was an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) while Williams was a cap casualty. Nonetheless, according to Fowler, after entertaining offers from other teams, Williams wanted to stay in Pittsburgh.
In his eight seasons and Pittsburgh, Williams has appeared in 121 regular-season games with 69 starts. Starting 11 games as a rookie for an injured Larry Foote, Williams did not become a regular starter again until his fifth season in Pittsburgh. With two career interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, and five passes defenses, Williams has six career fumble recoveries, 20.5 sacks, and almost 500 combined tackles. In 2020, Williams was among the top players in the NFL in tackles for loss with 14.
Williams is your proto-typical Pittsburgh Steeler. He has embraced the fan base, and the fan base has embraced him right back. Throughout his career he has had several huge moments on the field, but his tough style of play has endeared him to the black and gold fan base around the globe.
With Williams back, fans should not think his return will determine what the Steelers do, or don’t do, in the 2021 NFL Draft. Williams is a great insurance policy for the team at inside linebacker in case the draft board doesn’t fall their way and a talented defender isn’t available in the early rounds of the draft.
When financial details of this deal are released, we will have that for you right here at BTSC. In the meantime, stay tuned for the latest news and notes on the black and gold as the Steelers prepare for the rest of the offseason, and the upcoming NFL Draft.
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