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Well, the Arizona Cardinals are in a familiar situation. After signing Tramon Williams just before the 2017 NFL season and then seeing him produce at a very high level, he is now gone.
The former Cardinal is going back to his roots and signing a two-year deal with the Green Bay Packers.
REUNITED: Sources tell me CB Tramon Williams @HighRizer22 will be returning to the #Packers on a 2-Year Deal...He played there for 9 years and helped seal the #SBXLV victory...Much needed CB help is on the way @nflnetwork @NFL
— James Jones (@89JonesNTAF) March 22, 2018
The Cardinals desperately need a cornerback opposite Patrick Peterson and now they have one less option and worse, they lose a known commodity within their team.
While Williams age, 35, was likely a deterrent in extending him more than a season, his on field production was outstanding in 2017.
Could turn out to be a pretty big deal. Tramon Williams gave up a 44.0 passer rating in coverage last season per #NextGenStats. https://t.co/h2KDGAl1js
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) March 22, 2018
New (sorta) #Packers CB Tramon Williams surrendered a 58.4 passer rating when targeted last season - lowest amongst all free agent cornerbacks - and a 1.0 passer rating in man coverage, per @PFF.
— Zachary Jacobson (@ZachAJacobson) March 22, 2018
This means the Cardinals are either waiting to clear some cap space to make an offer to E.J. Gaines or they are going to go with another veteran, cheap free agent pick up and see if they can strike it rich again.
Of course, the other option is the draft and one thing we know from Steve Wilks time in Carolina is he doesn't hesitate to play rookie cornerbacks. He also, or at least the Panthers, did not put a high priority on corners early. They believe in their scheme and coaching ability.
Williams had a great year for Arizona in 2017 and now with Tyrann Mathieu also gone, the Cardinals need at least two corners this offseason.