Vince Williams

BIOGRAPHY

Vince Williams was born December 27, 1989, in Davenport, Florida. He is a linebacker in the NFL. Coming out of Florida State, Williams was projected by analysts to be a sixth or seventh-round selection. He was rated as the ninth-best inside linebacker in the 2013 NFL Draft. He was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine but was able to participate in Florida State's annual Pro Day on March 19, 2013. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Williams in the sixth round (206th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. Williams was the 22nd linebacker drafted in 2013. 

He returned in 2015 as a rotational inside linebacker. On August 23, 2016, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Williams to a three-year, $5.50 million extension with a $1.50 million signing bonus. On October 15, 2017, Williams recorded five solo tackles and made a career-high two sacks on Chiefs’ quarterback Alex Smith during a 19–13 win at the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6. In Week 14, he collected a season-high nine combined tackles and made one sack during a 23–20 win at the Cincinnati Bengals. On December 17, 2017, Williams made three solo tackles, a pass deflection, and his first career interception as the Steelers lost 27–24 against the New England Patriots in Week 15. Williams intercepted a pass by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, that was initially intended for tight end Rob Gronkowski, and returned it for a 13-yard gain during the third quarter. Williams started in all 16 games in 2017 and made a career-high 89 combined tackles (69 solo), a career-high eight sacks, one interception, and one pass deflection. linebacker and was paired with Jon Bostic replaced Ryan Shazier due to a possible career-ending spinal contusion. He started in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season-opener at the Cleveland Browns and collected a season-high 12 combined tackles (four solo) during their 21–21 tie. Williams was inactive for the Steelers’ Week 5 victory against the Atlanta Falcons due to a hamstring injury. This became the first missed game of his five-year career. On November 8, 2018, Williams made four combined tackles, one pass deflection, one sack, and returned an interception for his first career touchdown during a 52–21 win against Carolina Panthers in Week 10. Williams intercepted a pass by Cam Newton, that was intended for wide receiver Devin Funchess and returned it for a 17-yard touchdown during the first quarter. Williams was inactive for the Steelers’ Week 17 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a foot injury. Williams finished the season with 76 combined tackles (50 solo), 4.5 sacks, two pass deflections, one interception, and one touchdown in 14 games and 14 starts. He received an overall grade of 65.7 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked as the 41st best grade among all linebackers in 2018. Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans, Williams led the team with 10 tackles (8 solo) and sacked Ryan Tannehill once during the 27–24 win. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Steelers on November 10, 2020, and activated on November 14.

 He was placed back on the COVID-19 list on December 10, 2020, and activated again on December 23.

Williams was released on March 16, 2021, but re-signed to a one-year contract on April 15, 2021.