DE Mario Williams signs 6-year deal with Bills

The Bills haven't been much of a playoff factor since their four consecutive Super Bowl losses in the early 1990s. Mario Williams hopes to change all that now that he's in town.

The free-agent defensive end, drafted No. 1 overall by the Texans in 2006, Thursday signed a six-year contract that could be worth as much as $100 million to become the centerpiece of the Bills' defense. Williams will earn a guaranteed $50 million.

"You don't get many chances like this to be the guy who can help the team get across the hump," Williams said at a news conference at the Bills' training facility. "It's a great opportunity for myself and for the team to succeed. This city is looking for the Bills to be where we need to be at for the fans of this great city. I can't wait for the opportunity to get out there and make things happen."

Williams was the best defensive player on the market, with only quarterback Peyton Manning able to command a comparable salary. Manning is pondering whether to join any of the four teams he has visited -- Denver, Arizona, Tennessee and Miami. However, the Dolphins have made plans to host Packers free-agent quarterback Matt Flynn this weekend, a sign that they might be moving on from Manning.

In other free-agent news, the Jets saw two potential options at safety go elsewhere. Former Patriot Brandon Meriweather signed a two-year contract with the Redskins, and free agent Brodney Pool, a Jet the past two seasons, signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys. The Jets will turn their attention to free-agent safety Reggie Nelson, who is set to visit Friday.

The Titans signed guard Steve Hutchinson, a 34-year-old former All-Pro whom the Vikings did not re-sign.