The Bengals locked up the middle of their defense for the next five years Tuesday when they announced a four-year extension for safety Shawn Williams.

 

Williams, who turned 25 Friday, would have been a free agent after this season but the Bengals added four more years on a deal believed to be in the $20 million range and keeps their starting safeties intact through the 2020 season.

 

On the first day of free agency back in March they inked George Iloka, 26, to a five-year, $30 million deal. They opted to go with the youth of Williams as Reggie Nelson signed in Oakland last month off his first Pro Bowl appearance at age 32 for a two-year deal with a $5 million average.

 

Although Williams, a third-round pick in 2013, has just four NFL starts, they’re encouraged with what he did while Iloka was injured last season and when Nelson left the play-off game early in the second quarter. In the three games Williams started in place of Iloka, the Bengals held the Browns to a field goal, the 49ers to 14 points and the Broncos to 17 points in regulation. In San Francisco he ended one drive with an interception at his 1. He played 68 percent of the snaps in the Wild Card Game, when the Bengals held the Steelers to one touchdown on a play the NFL later said shouldn't have counted.

 

Williams' extension solidifies safety spot

Wow!

 

But, congrats Shawn, I sure hope you earn it!

Maybe more Bengals need to move in next to me.

 

Vinnie Rey got paid, and now Williams. We just moved but I'm guessing my ex-neighbors will be moving on up real soon too. Last I talked to Vinnie Rey, he said. "We won't be here long." I don't blame you big fella!

Shawn a good guy too?

Shawn a good guy too?

Haven't talked to him near as much as Vinny. He kept more to himself. Just cordial hello's here and there with him. But always very nice. He hangs with AJ Green a lot, he was always up there. Them Georgia boys stick together.

 

Nicest one of them that was ever there was Pacman. Tossed ball and played football in the backyard with my son for a good 2 hours.

Haven't talked to him near as much as Vinny. He kept more to himself. Just cordial hello's here and there with him. But always very nice. He hangs with AJ Green a lot, he was always up there. Them Georgia boys stick together.

 

Nicest one of them that was ever there was Pacman. Tossed ball and played football in the backyard with my son for a good 2 hours.

 

Wow, that is great to hear.

Title is misleading since Williams is a starter now. They could have waited but say he goes out and has a great year, now all of a sudden he may have been to expensive to keep.

Title is misleading since Williams is a starter now. They could have waited but say he goes out and has a great year, now all of a sudden he may have been to expensive to keep.

 

Since when is Williams a starter?

Since when is Williams a starter?

 

He is the starting safety opposite of Illoka now.

He is the starting safety opposite of Illoka now.

 

Here is a career backup that will probably start this year but he has never been a starting safety in the NFL. The title is fair.

Here is a career backup that will probably start this year but he has never been a starting safety in the NFL. The title is fair.

 

I have a hard time calling someone who was still on his rookie contract a career backup. Usually the words career backup go to guys who have been and always will be a backuproblem. Not someone who wasn't starting because he had a pro bowler in front of him. That seems more like a young player just waiting for his chance rather than being a guy who known to only be a careereal backup. He earned the chance to be the starter on the depth chart going into this year because of his play of fill in starts last year and why the Bengals didn't really try to sign Nelson back because they view him as a starter not a career backup player.

^ None of which changes the fact he is a career backup.

^ None of which changes the fact he is a career backup.

 

Not anymore he is not, and this contract proves the Bengals think he is a starter too.

Not anymore he is not, and this contract proves the Bengals think he is a starter too.

 

You are just being obtuse now.

Not anymore he is not, and this contract proves the Bengals think he is a starter too.

 

If he has never started a game (other than a fill in start) how would he be considered a starter. He may blow his knee out tomorrow and never play another down. Would he be considered a starter. I guess he could be considered a future starter?