OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens cut free safety Marcus Williams on Wednesday, a move that comes three years after he was the team's top free agent signing.
Williams, 28, was benched midway through last season and did not play after Week 12. In nine starts, quarterbacks recorded a 148.4 passer rating when throwing at Williams, averaging 18.4 yards per completion.
In 2022, Williams was Baltimore's prized free agent addition, signing a five-year, $70 million deal. In his first two seasons with the Ravens, he missed 13 games due to wrist and pectoral injuries. Then, last season, his struggles contributed to Baltimore's pass defense ranking last in the NFL and caused him to lose his starting job in October.
Williams was replaced in the starting lineup by Ar'Darius Washington, who received the low tender ($3.3 million) Wednesday as a restricted free agent.
The release of Williams had been expected since January, when Baltimore reworked his contract to create $9.9 million in salary cap space.
Before joining the Ravens, Williams was a second-round pick of the New Orleans Saints, playing five seasons there. Williams' most infamous play was his missed tackle against then-Minnesota Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs in the "Minneapolis Miracle" playoff loss at the end of his rookie year.
In eight seasons, Williams totaled 469 tackles, 20 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries.