Bears expected to sign WR Roy Williams

The Bears are expected to sign former top-10 pick Roy Williams, a league source told the Sun-Times early Friday morning. Contract lengths and terms are presently unknown.

Williams provides Bears quarterback Jay Cutler a big target, although the talented receiver has had a tumultuous career.

Williams was a legend in Texas, a native of Odessa who starred for the Longhorns. But after he was selected seventh overall by the Detroit Lions, he had a turbulent run and eventually was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2008 for a handful of picks.

He’s only had flashes since then, and he’s had problems with consistency.

The Bears, though, may be optimal landing spot for Williams.

His best NFL season was in 2006, when he played under Mike Martz, currently the Bears offensive coordinator. Martz had a forgettable run in Detroit, where he served under current Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, then the Lions head coach. But, Williams was one of the highlights, catching 82 passes for 1,310 yards with seven touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl.

Despite some struggles in Detroit, the Cowboys gave up first, third and sixth round picks in the 2009 NFL Draft for him then rewarded him with a six-year, $54 million contract that included a whopping $26 million in guarantees.

Unfortunately, he scored 13 touchdowns in three seasons and never topped 600 receiving yards in a single season. The Cowboys released Williams Thursday.

At 6 foot 3, 215 pounds, Williams certainly provides the big receiver to complement Johnny Knox, Devin Hester and Earl Bennett. He’s also a very smooth runner, but his hands have been inconsistent.