Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
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| Williams |
As the regular season approaches, the Denver Broncos are working on securing the future.
The Broncos and the agent of weakside linebacker D.J. Williams are engaged in serious contract extension talks, sources close to the situation said.
There is still work to be done before a deal can be characterized as imminent, but excellent progress has been made.
The contract for Williams, Denver's first-round draft choice out of Miami in 2004, expires after this season. Williams, who is a vital member of the defense, has publicly expressed his desire to stay in Denver.
He is back at weakside linebacker, which was his original NFL position. Williams played strongside linebacker in 2005 and 2006 and he played middle linebacker last season when he was second in the NFL in tackles. The team and Williams believe weakside is his natural position.
If Denver does sign Williams, next on its wish list could be extensions for receiver Brandon Marshall and defensive end Elvis Dumervil. Both of those players are free agents after the 2009 season.
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
