Longtime Steelers linebacker Vince Williams pronounces his retirement from the NFL

Simply earlier than the beginning of coaching camp, veteran linebacker Vince Williams has introduced his retirement from the NFL after eight seasons within the league, the Steelers introduced on Wednesday. Williams spent his whole profession with Pittsburgh and was the second-longest-tenured defensive starter (Cam Heyward being the longest-tenured) on the workforce and third-most-tenured Steeler (Heyward, Ben Roethlisberger). The workforce was notified of his resolution to stroll away from the sport on Wednesday and the group counseled his efforts given to the franchise over the course of his tenure. 

“Vince Williams notified us at the moment that he’ll retire from the sport of soccer,” stated Steelers normal supervisor and vp Kevin Colbert in a press release launched by the workforce. “We respect his resolution and wish to thank him for his time with us as he persistently confirmed nice character and management along with his contributions on the sphere. We want Vince and his household all the perfect.” 

Williams was drafted within the sixth spherical (206th general) by the Steelers again in 2013 and blossomed right into a key piece to their protection. In 14 video games performed (all begins) final season, the 31 yr outdated totaled 70 tackles (third-best mark of his profession), a career-high 14 tackles for a loss (ranked fifth within the NFL final yr), and three sacks. For his profession (121 regular-season video games), Williams finishes with 479 tackles, 20.5 sacks and 50 tackles for a loss. 

As for who could also be changing Williams inside Pittsburgh’s protection, it might very properly flip right into a camp battle consisting of Robert Spillane, Marcus Allen and rookie Buddy Johnson. The workforce did just lately signal linebacker Melvin Ingram to a one-year deal, however he primarily performs on the surface which means he probably will not issue into filling Williams’ sneakers.