CINCINNATI -- Bengals safety Shawn Williams, a longtime backup who has been expected to enter the starting rotation this season, agreed to a four-year contract extension Tuesday that will keep him in Cincinnati through the 2020 season, the team announced.
A 2013 third-round pick, the former Georgia standout has been a key member of various Bengals special teams units his entire NFL career. His play on special teams created opportunities to play on defense, where he was primarily a reserve to veterans George Iloka and Reggie Nelson.
After Nelson was signed by the Oakland Raiders earlier this spring, Williams is expected to slide into a starting role.