He was asked immediately after the Bills Wild Card loss in Jacksonville about his future playing career and Kyle Williams said he was undecided. On Monday at locker clean out day at One Bills Drive, Williams said at this point he doesn't even have a timetable for a decision.
"I don't have one," he said. "We'll meet with the people who need to be met with, and discuss it and we'll see where we go."
Williams was the most valuable veteran in the locker room for head coach Sean McDermott when it came to leadership, motivation and reinforcing his mantra of 'Playoff Caliber.'
A year ago, when McDermott was first hired by the Bills, it wasn't long before he had a lengthy conversation with Williams about his future. He had to effectively paint the picture for the five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle so he could determine whether yet another new beginning in Buffalo was something he wanted to be a part of.
Williams was on board and held up his end of the bargain all season, appearing in all 16 games, was third on the team with nine quarterback hits, tied for second in sacks and provided a model for any player on the roster to follow.
McDermott delivered by helping to guide the team to its first playoff berth in 17 seasons, despite having a roster that wasn't as long on talent as it was on character.
Now that he's gotten his first taste of the postseason, is Williams eager for more?
When asked if this season was more enjoyable than most from earlier in his career, the defensive tackle answered in the affirmative.
"For sure. You get more accomplishment and you're more fulfilled and you have an opportunity to go to the playoffs and play, even when it ends roughly," Williams said. "You figure out how to get better from there."
There's also the thought of going out on a high note, being the primary leader of a team that broke the infamous playoff drought.
Suffice to say that there will be some lobbying done by his teammates to convince him to come back for another season, but they'll also respect the fact that in 12 NFL seasons he has put his time in for the Bills organization.
"Kyle is his own man," said Lorenzo Alexander. "I mess with him and try to get him to come back because you love having that type of presence in the locker room and wanting to be around him. Hopefully he comes back.
"I think he really enjoyed himself this year getting a taste of the playoffs. Thinking you can get back next year is hard to walk away from sometimes. Him and his family have a lot to think about this offseason and the organization too. Everything will work out best for him and his family I believe."
Williams was asked if he still feels he has enough gas left in the tank.
"I think I've got enough to get there," he said.
So, it appears clear that Williams believes he can still play and play effectively, but he's also an unrestricted free agent. While his value is clear in the locker room, there will have to be a determination made about his value on the field knowing he turns 35 in June.
"None of us really get to choose when we may or may not be done," he said. "I love to play the game and I love being a part of this football team. It's hard for me to go down that road because I haven't sat back and thought about it. We'll figure it all out as we move forward."
