Philly Leader

Return specialist Avery Williams has signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old, who led the NFL in punt returns in 2022 with an average of 16.2 yards per return, is looking forward to contributing to his new team.

Williams was initially drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 as a cornerback but transitioned to running back in his second season. After completing his rookie contract with the Falcons, he expressed excitement about joining the Eagles and praised the team's culture and people.

In an interview with PhiladelphiaEagles.com, Williams shared his enthusiasm for playing with a team that recently competed in the Super Bowl. "I'm excited. Obviously, the fact that the Eagles just went to the Super Bowl is impressive," he said. "But I still have that hunger to add to that."

Reflecting on his journey, Williams recounted how he had limited college opportunities out of high school but found success at Boise State before being drafted by Atlanta. He emphasized his eagerness to be part of a high-character environment at the Eagles.

Williams also spoke about what drives him on the field: "The most rewarding thing is having a teammate or a coach slap you on the helmet and say, 'good job'. That's definitely what motivates me."

Off the field, Williams enjoys watching movies and sports, naming "Ratatouille" and "Avengers: Infinity War" among his favorites.

Regarding special teams play, Williams expressed passion for both kick returning and punt returning: "Special teams and returning especially has always been my true passion of the game."