Cardinals tender restricted free agent Xavier Williams
Mar 13, 2018, 2:16 PM | Updated: Mar 18, 2018, 3:35 pm
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs past Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Xavier Williams (94) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Arizona Cardinals tendered a one-year contract offer to restricted free agent defensive lineman Xavier Williams on Tuesday, the team announced.
Williams, who recorded 20 tackles, 0.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 2017, is the team’s only restricted free agent this offseason.
Restricted free agents have less than four accrued years in the NFL and are eligible for one-year qualifying offers.
Teams put an offer on each player based on what draft pick compensation they would receive should they lose the player. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Cardinals tendered Williams at the original draft level (he was undrafted) meaning they will receive no compensation if they lose him to another team.
RELATED STORIES
Restricted free agents then can negotiate with other teams who must match the tender chosen by Arizona. The Cardinals can decline to match the offer or match it and retain him.
The 26-year-old Williams is coming off his fourth season in which he played a career-high 11 games.
He joined Arizona as an undrafted free agent signing out of Northern Iowa in 2015.
