In the end, Vince Williams just couldn't see himself coming back for another year of football.
The veteran linebacker, released at the end of last season, then re-signed about a month later, announced his retirement Wednesday, a day before the Steelers were set to begin training camp practices for the upcoming season.
"Vince Williams notified us today that he will retire from the game of football," Kevin Colbert said in a statement. "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. We wish Vince and his family all the best."
I lost 3 million dollars, but I found Jesus and tbh Im perfectly fine with that.
— Vince Williams (@VinnyVidiVici98) June 24, 2021
Williams, 31, was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round (206th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. In 121 career regular-season games (69 starts), he recorded 444 tackles, including 48 for loss, 43 quarterback hits, 20.5 sacks, five passes defensed, five fumble recoveries and two interceptions, including one returned for a TD.
Williams appeared in 14 games in 2020, all starts, making 70 tackles (47 solo), including 14 for loss, 3.0 sacks, four quarterback hits and two fumble recoveries. His 14 tackles for loss last season ranked fifth in the NFL.
But with Devin Bush returning from a knee injury that limited him to five games in 2020 and the emergence of Robert Spillane in his absence, Williams' role with the Steelers this season was in question.
The team also drafted inside linebacker Buddy Johnson in the fourth round and has Ulysees Gilbert and Marcus Allen returning, as well.
Williams is the latest veteran to walk away, leave in free agency or be released by the team this offseason. Center Maurkice Pouncey retired at the end of the season, while cornerback Steven Nelson and guard David DeCastro were released, as well. Veterans Alejandro Villanueva, Bud Dupree, Mike Hilton, Matt Feiler and James Conner also left in free agency.
Williams had been scheduled to earn $1.075 million in 2021 on his new deal. His previous release saved the Steelers $4 million in cap space.