Sylvester Williams leaves Broncos for Tennessee Titans

Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos nose tackle Sylvester Williams (92) inside linebacker Todd Davis (51) and center Matt Paradis (61) come out of the tunnel before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos nose tackle Sylvester Williams (92) inside linebacker Todd Davis (51) and center Matt Paradis (61) come out of the tunnel before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Denver Broncos lost another unrestricted free agent in defensive tackle Sylvester Williams, a former first round pick…

We haven’t seen the same type of mass exodus in free agency this offseason that we saw a year ago, but the Denver Broncos have now lost a couple of very big players in Russell Okung and now Sylvester Williams. Williams reportedly signed a three-year deal with the Tennessee Titans.

It’s always tough to see a player you’ve rooted for the last few years leave, but the Broncos had to expect this move on some level. Williams’ fifth year option as a former first round selection was not exercised by the Broncos last offseason, and there were rumors he wasn’t a huge fan of that.

I can’t imagine he would be.

Williams was a key piece of Denver’s great defense in 2015, when it looked like he was really coming on as a third year player. The Broncos opted not to pick up his 1st round option, and now he has signed with the Titans, who have made some really good moves on the defensive side of the football in free agency.

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Next to Jurrell Casey on the Titans’ defensive line, I think he’ll be very effective. Williams has always been quick off the ball, and offers some pass rush element, but is definitely more effective when he’s not taking up double teams.

As far as the Broncos are concerned, it was interesting to see there was any interest in bringing back Williams at all. When they decided to let him test the market and didn’t pick up his option, it seemed like they were planning on letting him go at the end of the year unless he blew them away.

His 29 tackles this past season were a career high, but the Broncos were probably going to seek an upgrade one way or another at the nose tackle position. Williams played a very important role on a championship team, and now he’s getting an opportunity to shine with the Tennessee Titans.