Steelers LB Vince Williams retires on eve of first training camp workout

On the eve of the first training camp workout, Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams surprisingly announced his decision to retire after an eight-year career with the organization.

After being released in March in a salary-cap move, Williams returned to the Steelers a month later on a one-year, $1.075 million salary. He was expected to compete with Robert Spillane for playing time alongside third-year linebacker Devin Bush, who is recovering from ACL surgery.

Steelers players reported to training camp Wednesday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, and the first workout will take place Thursday.

“We respect his decision and want to thank him for his time with us as he consistently showed great character and leadership in addition to his contributions on the field,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement. “We wish Vince and his family nothing but the best.”

Williams’ retirement leaves the Steelers lacking in depth at the position. Players with NFL experience on the roster include Marcus Allen, a converted safety, Ulysees Gilbert III and Tegray Scales. The team did use a fourth-round draft pick on Texas A&M inside linebacker Buddy Johnson.

Avery Williamson, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets after Bush’s injury, is available in free agency.

Williams, 31, was the Steelers’ sixth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He made 69 starts in 131 regular-season games and totaled 444 tackles, 48 tackles for loss, 43 quarterback hits, 20.5 sacks, five pass breakups, five fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

Only 10 players from that draft class played more games in the NFL than Williams, and all 10 were drafted before him.

Williams started 14 games in 2020 and totaled 70 tackles, including 14 for a loss, three sacks, four quarterback hits and two fumble recoveries. His 14 tackles for loss ranked fifth in the NFL.

Williams, though, was released in March so the Steelers could clear $4 million off their salary cap.

Williams hinted at his exit from the team then by writing, “I hear the streets calling” on his verified Twitter account.

The Steelers brought him a month later at the NFL minimum salary. In June, he wrote, “I lost 3 million dollars, but I found Jesus and tbh Im perfectly fine with that.”