Given all the money owed to their top players — as well as a busy day securing an offensive line — the Los Angeles Rams have lost several of their mid-tier guys in the first few days of free agency.
Among these losses are interior offensive lineman Austin Corbett signing with the Carolina Panthers and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day signing with the L.A Chargers. They also released All-Pro punter Johnny Hekker in a cost-saving maneuver.
Now, another major loss is added to the Rams’ running total, as cornerback Darious Williams has reportedly agreed to a deal with his hometown Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:
Darious Williams is coming home: The #Ram CB is expected to sign with the #Jaguars, source said, his hometown. He gets a 3-year deal worth $30M — $39M max. $18M fully guaranteed. He had higher offers, but chose home. Deal done by Damarius Bilbo & Kelton Crenshaw of
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2022
Williams grew up in Jacksonville and went to college in Birmingham, Alabama. While he had made a nice home next to Jalen Ramsey in the Rams secondary, the appeal of his real home was likely too much to pass up. Not only that, but the Rams have been openly saving their money in pursuit of Von Miller, Odell Beckham Jr. and Bobby Wagner.
So Williams gets a nice contract with his hometown Jaguars, a team that has been among the most active during this offseason’s free agency window. Jacksonville has brought in WR Christian Kirk, OL Brandon Scherff, LB Foye Oluokun, DT Foley Fatukasi, WR Zay Jones and TE Evan Engram to assist QB Trevor Lawrence.
Among Rams fans, Williams will likely be remembered most for his breakout 2020 season. Under Brandon Staley, Williams had four interceptions, 14 pass deflections and 37 solo tackles.
However, the Rams cornerback regressed in 2021, picking up an increased 60 tackles, but only nine pass deflections and zero interceptions. Having just turned 29, there’s still plenty he could give to the Jaguars secondary.
Andrew Whitworth announces retirement
In yet another major loss for the Rams, offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth called it a career after winning a Super Bowl in L.A. This didn’t come as a surprise to many, as he was the oldest offensive lineman to ever appear in a Super Bowl in NFL history.
However, the Rams now must turn to Joseph Noteboom to fill the large shoes of Whitworth.
