The Chicago Bears may have found their replacement for Brian Urlacher today by signing former Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams to a one-year contract according to Dan Pompeii of the Chicago Tribune. The 30-year-old Williams was a highly productive player for the Broncos from 2004-2011 but was cut by the Broncos after a 2012 riddled with suspensions, a six game suspension for violating the league’s performance enhancing policy and a three game suspension for his second arrest for driving under the influence. He has played weak-side, strong-side, and middle linebacker in his career and was once considered one of the best linebacker talents on the market. The deal both protects the Bears should Williams not stay on track and offers the 30-year-old Williams to restore his reputation and fatten his bank account, his base salary is $900,000, and none of his contract is guaranteed, he can earn a maximum of $1.75 million if he hits a workout bonus and a series of roster bonuses spread out over time. Williams was scheduled to earn $6 million this year, which explains in large part why the Broncos cut him. Source: The Redzone
