Raiders officially waive Tyrell Williams
The Raiders officially waived veteran wide receiver Tyrell Williams on Wednesday.
With the NFL’s 2021 salary cap expected to be reduced by at least $10 million due to COVID-19 and the Raiders in desperate need to create room under the cap, the release of Williams was long suspected. By cutting him, the Raiders will shave $11.6 million from their 2021 books.
Originally signed to a four-year, $44 million contract by the Raiders in 2019, the former Los Angeles Chargers standout battled injuries throughout his two years with the Raiders and missed all of last season with a torn labrum. Williams made $22 million during his time with the Raiders, and with the guaranteed portion of his deal paid in full, the club absorbs no salary cap penalty for cutting him with two non-guaranteed years left on his deal.
In his one full season with the Raiders, Williams caught 42 catches while dealing with foot issues most of the season.
The NFL announced last week the 2021 salary cap floor will be $180 million, which would mark an $18 million decrease from last year. The ceiling has yet to be announced, but speculation is it could fall somewhere between $185 and $188 million.
If the cap is set at $188 million, the Raiders still have work to do to get under it. Their 2021 commitments after releasing Williams leave them $2.8 million over that projected threshold.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore onTwitter.
