Vince Williams announces his retirement from the NFL

On the day the Steelers reported to training camp, Vince Williams has decided to retire from football.

It has been a roller coaster offseason for Steelers linebacker Vince Williams. After being released by the Steelers as a cap casualty in March prior to the start of the 2021 league year, Williams signed back with the Steelers in mid April. But on the day players reported back to the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex to kick off 2021 training camp, Vince Williams has announced his retirement from the NFL.

In his eight seasons in Pittsburgh, Williams 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.

A sixth-round draft pick in 2013, Williams spent his entire career in Pittsburgh. Exactly what brought the circumstances for Williams to retire are not known at this time.

Vince Williams was the embodiment of what it meant to be a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His hard-nosed, smash-mouth style of football continued to earn him a spot on the Steelers roster season after season.

Even after Williams retirement, the Steelers continue to have options at the inside linebacker position. With the return of Devin Bush, the Steelers also have Robert Spillane to take on the other starting role. Others on the depth chart include 2021 fourth-round draft pick Buddy Johnson as well as Ulysees Gilbert III. Additionally, the Steelers have several former safeties who are listed as linebackers on their roster such as Marcus Allen and Miles Killebrew.

On behalf of BTSC, we wish Vince Williams the best in his future endeavors.

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