The Ravens have lost another defensive starter in free agency.
Cornerback Cary Williams signed a three-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, the team announced Thursday. The deal is reportedly worth $17 million, with $10 million in guarantees, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.
The deal with Philadelphia is slightly more than the Ravens reportedly offered Williams before last season, as Williams turned down a three-year $15 million offer from Baltimore. He opted instead to play under the restricted free agency tender and then test the market this offseason.
"I just want to thank the Ravens for the opportunity and Ravens Nation for all the love & support," Williams tweeted after the deal was announced. "Baltimore will always have a special place in my heart!"
Williams, 28, has started every game for the Ravens over the last two seasons. He and safety Ed Reed were the only two Ravens defenders to start every game over that span.
The six-year veteran is a former practice squad player who worked his way up the ranks to earn a starting job with the Ravens and developed into a reliable starter.
He led the Ravens with four interceptions during the regular season and added two more in the playoffs. Williams finished the season with 75 total tackles and 17 passes defended. In a year where the Ravens dealt with injuries to two cornerbacks in Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith, Williams led the group throughout the season.
His departure now means the Ravens have lost five defensive players who started at some point last season. The list includes Ray Lewis (retirement), Dannell Ellerbe (Miami Dolphins), Paul Kruger (Cleveland Browns) and Bernard Pollard (released).
Reed is also an unrestricted a free agent and visited with the Houston Texans Thursday.
