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D.J. Williams | Linebacker

Team: Chicago Bears
Age / DOB:  (30) / 7/20/1982
Ht / Wt:  6'1' / 242
College: Miami (FL)
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

The Bears plan to start D.J. Williams at middle linebacker.
Williams told the Chicago Sun Times that the Bears approached him with two plans before signing him. The two plans hinged on whether Brian Urlacher remained with the team. With Urlacher gone, Williams will man the middle and play an every-down role for the Bears. He'll be a strong LB2 option in IDP leagues. Apr 13 - 12:01 PM
Source: Chicago Sun-Times

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Player News

Date:
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

Bears MLB D.J. Williams' one-year contract is heavily incentive laden and contains no guaranteed money.

The contract was structured smartly by GM Phil Emery, who is taking no risks on a player suspended twice last year. Williams got no signing bonus. His base salary of $900,000 is triggered only if he makes the 53-man roster. The deal can reach $1.75 million in max worth, but $100,000 is tied to offseason workout participation and another $750,000 in per-game roster bonuses.
Source: ESPN Chicago
Apr 8 - 2:46 PM
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

The Chicago Sun Times confirms the Bears are projecting D.J. Williams as their new starting middle linebacker.

He theoretically has big shoes to fill as Brian Urlacher's successor, although those shoes grew smaller (and easier to replace) as Urlacher fell off a cliff in 2012. Williams turns 31 in July. Two suspensions -- one for PEDs and another for a DUI -- limited Williams to 160 snaps last season. Pro Football Focus still graded Williams as effective both in pass coverage and versus the run.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Mar 26 - 12:45 AM
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

Bears signed LB D.J. Williams, formerly of the Broncos, to a one-year contract.

Williams, who turns 31 before the season, was a highly productive and versatile starter in Denver from 2004-2011, before multiple 2012 suspensions cost him a spot in the Broncos' rotation. He's played weak-side, strong-side, and middle linebacker in his career. Williams' Bears contract will keep him motivated. The one-year deal has a base value of $900,000 -- none of which is guaranteed -- and Williams can earn up to $1.75 million via incentives.
Related: Broncos
Source: Chicago Tribune
Mar 22 - 2:06 PM
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

Broncos released LB D.J. Williams.

This move was a no-brainer. Williams was due $6 million in the final year of his deal, and he wasn't going to be a starter in Denver anymore. The 30-year-old is coming off a multi-suspension season that saw him register just 14 tackles in seven games. Denver will move forward with Wesley Woodyard, Von Miller, and likely Nate Irving as their starting linebackers. The Redskins, Texans, Raiders, Falcons, and Ravens have been mentioned as possible Williams suitors.
Related: Broncos
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Mar 11 - 5:01 PM
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

The Denver Post says the Broncos will try and trade LB D.J. Williams once the new league year starts on March 12.

Williams is due $6 million in the final year of his deal, and he's coming off a multi-suspension season. Plus, he's 30 years old, so unloading that salary on somebody else will be difficult. If Denver can't, then they are fully expected to release Williams before April 15. The Post mentions the Texans, Redskins, Raiders, Falcons, and Ravens as suitors.
Source: Denver Post
Mar 3 - 9:26 AM
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

The Broncos would save $6 million in salary cap space by releasing LB D.J. Williams.

It's the same number as his $6M base salary. Williams served two NFL suspensions in 2012, appearing in only seven games and starting just one. We'd look for the Broncos to cut ties with Williams as soon as this week.
Source: Denver Post
Feb 10 - 6:04 PM
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

The Denver Post expects the Broncos to either release LB D.J. Williams or request a "significant pay cut."

Williams was suspended for nine games in 2012, and made just one start in seven contests upon returning. He played only 131 regular season snaps. He's currently due an untenable $6 million in 2013.
Source: Denver Post
Feb 6 - 7:34 PM
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

Broncos reinstated LB D.J. Williams from the reserve/suspended list.

Williams returned to practice this week after serving two suspensions and the Broncos have added him to their 53-man roster. The Denver Post expects Williams to be used in a situational role if active on Sunday. SS Duke Ihenacho was waived in a corresponding move.
Sat, Nov 17, 2012 10:38:00 PM
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

Broncos LB D.J. Williams appears on track to be in uniform for Sunday's game against the Chargers and could play in a reserve role.

Williams missed nine games because of two suspensions — six for violating the NFL's policy on PEDs and three for an alcohol-related arrest. The Broncos have 52 players on the active roster after they waived S Duke Ihenacho before re-signing him to the practice squad Tuesday. For Williams to play Sunday, the team will have to formally move him to the roster by notifying the league.
Source: Denver Post
Sat, Nov 17, 2012 09:54:00 AM
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

Broncos WLB D.J. Williams' new base salary for the final seven games of the season is $950,000.

Williams was set to earn $5 million this season. But that was before he drew a six-game suspension for a violation of the performance-enhancing policy and a three-game ban for an alcohol offense. Now he's back as a reserve behind Wesley Woodyard.
Source: Denver Post
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 10:05:00 AM
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

Broncos WLB D.J. Williams will return to the team on Monday.

Williams is serving the final game of a nine-game suspension on Sunday, which stems from a positive PED test and an August DWI. The Broncos will use the first week or two to get Williams back into playing shape, so he likely won't return to the lineup until Week 12 or 13. The Denver Post's Mike Klis also notes that Williams agreed to a restructured deal. He was originally scheduled to make $5 million this season. The new terms are undisclosed. Wesley Woodyard has played extremely well in Williams' absence, and it's no guarantee that the 30-year-old will be handed his starting job back.
Source: Denver Post
Sun, Nov 11, 2012 08:33:00 AM
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

Broncos WLB D.J. Williams has had three games added to six his six-game suspension.

Williams' initial ban was for violating the league's PED policy, but he's had three games tacked on for his driving while ability-impaired conviction. The drunk-driving related offense was the second of Williams' career. Williams struggled mightily in 2011, and it's possible he'll be cut loose at the end of his suspension. Wesley Woodyard has been playing well in his absence.
Source: Lindsay Jones on Twitter
Fri, Oct 5, 2012 05:11:00 PM
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

The Denver Post expects suspended Broncos WLB D.J. Williams to have "additional games" tacked onto his six-game PED ban following his conviction for driving while ability-impaired.

Williams could be in for an additional two-game ban, which would mean he couldn't return until Week 10 in November. It's possible the Broncos will release Williams once his suspension is through, though he'd still count $3.466 million against the cap. Wesley Woodyard is starting in Williams' absence.
Source: Denver Post
Sat, Sep 1, 2012 10:13:00 AM
D.J. Williams - LB - Bears

A federal court has rejected Broncos WLB D.J. Williams' appeal of his six-game PED suspension.

Williams will officially have to serve his ban for failing three drug tests and providing a "non-human specimen" in the third. It's not outside the realm of possibility that Williams — who was also recently found guilty of driving while ability-impaired and driving without headlights — has played his final snap for the Broncos. Wesley Woodyard will start in Williams' place.
Source: Denver Post
Mon, Aug 27, 2012 09:16:00 PM

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