Defensive tackle Brandon Williams is entering a contract year, and while that may be on his mind, he's not showing it.
The hulking run stopper didn't reveal whether there have been talks with the Ravens front office about a contract extension.
"I'm just worried about football," Williams said. "They can worry about whatever they need to worry about, but that's above my paygrade. I'll do whatever I need to on the field."
In his second season as a starter, Williams logged 53 tackles and two sacks last year. He became the anchor of the Ravens defensive line after the departure of Pro Bowler Haloti Ngata.
But while Williams commanded* *the attention of many offensive linemen with his 6-foot-1, 340-pound frame and brute strength, he didn't get the media acclaim of some of the league's other defensive tackles.
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco named Williams the NFL's most underrated player entering this season. When hearing about that "honor," Williams shrugged his broad shoulders.
"It really doesn't mean much, I guess," he said. "It is what it is. I've just got to do my job on the field and do whatever I need to get done. I'm not worried about what the media says."
That said, it's media buzz that can lead to Pro Bowl honors. Williams was certainly worthy of at least being in the conversation last year, and said it is a goal of his heading into 2016.
"If it's not, you're being crazy," Williams said. "You've got to want that for yourself. But the biggest thing is winning games."
It's a catch 22 for the Ravens. Obviously they want Williams to play well to better their chances of getting back to the playoffs. But the better he plays, and the more attention he gets, the larger contract offer Williams would get if he hits the open market next March. With a big season, Williams could play himself out of Baltimore, a place he loves.
"You want to be a highly-rated guy," Williams said. "But my biggest thing is going on the field, giving my teammates everything I've got. Whatever happens at the end of the season happens at the end of the season. As long as I know every day, after every practice and every game, that I gave it my all, that's what matters."
