New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced Monday that the club has agreed to terms with defensive end Jonah Williams. Here are five things to know about the Saints roster addition:
- Williams worked his way from being an undrafted free agent and practice squad player to an eventual starter for the Los Angeles Rams. In his four-year NFL career with the Rams, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, Williams has tallied 80 tackles, 2.5 sacks and five stops for a loss.
- The 6-foot-5, 275-pound defensive end attended Weber State where he played four years for the Wildcats. In 54 games (23 starts), the defensive lineman had 15 sacks, which was good for the ninth most in school history, along with 28 career tackles for loss, 194 total tackles with three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. He also blocked three kicks on special teams. Williams reunites with former college teammate, wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.
- As a senior, he helped lead Weber State to an 11-4 season and advanced to the FCS Semifinals. For his performance that season, Williams received the Big Sky Defensive MVP, becoming the fifth player in school history to receive the award. Williams was also named first-team All-Big Sky after starting 15 contests, recording 62 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 11 stops for a loss, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
- Williams graduated from Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian, Idaho. He played tight end until his senior year where he made the switch to the defensive line and would earn Second Team All-State honors and First Team All-Conference honors.
- Between high school and college, Williams went on a two-year mission trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil, as part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "You kind of just dedicate those two years to everything but yourself, to God, to serving other people. For me, it was life-changing," Williams said on the New Orleans Saints Podcast.
New Orleans Saints announced the club has agreed to terms with free agent defensive lineman Jonah Williams. Check out Williams in action with the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams during his NFL career.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (92) takes the field before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (93) celebrates after defeating the New England Patriots 28-22 in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass.
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Jonah Williams (92) awaits a snap during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sep. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (92) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Easton Stick (2) is brought down by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (92) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, in Seattle. The Los Angeles Rams won 26-17. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (92) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs (9) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (92), bottom, sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs (9) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams, right, blocks a pass from Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Brian Hoyer during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.
Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Jonah Williams during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. Houston recovered he ball on the play.
Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Jonah Williams during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. Houston recovered he ball on the play.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (92) reacts after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (92) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (92) takes the field before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (92) high fives teammates prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, November 19, 2023 in Inglewood, Calif.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass under pressure from Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (92) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackles Cory Durden (98) and Kobie Turner (91) and defensive end Jonah Williams (92) attempt to block an extra point by Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 43-20.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is chased by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (92) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, right, is chased by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Jonah Williams (92) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (92) on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, left, throws downfield under pressure from Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams (92) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Cincinnati.
Defensive tackle (92) Jonah Williams of the Los Angeles Rams against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif. 49ers won 24-9.
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jonah Williams (92) starts off the line on a play by the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jonah Williams (92) tries to advance against San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 23-17.
