Originally tweeted by Adam Schefter and followed up by Cincinnati.com's Joe Reedy, reports are flowing in that the Bengals are close to an agreement for an extension.
Schefter reported that a deal was done, but Reedy reports here that the deal is in sight but not complete.
This is one that we've been waiting on, the cohesiveness of the Bengals' offensive line will be bolstered greatly by the retention of a guy like Bobbie Williams. It would have been a shame to let this one get away.
Appearances indicate now that unless a killer guard or tackle (Mike Iupati, anyone?) falls to the Bengals in the first round, we're likely to see the same road-grading line take the field this season that we grew to know and love in 2009.
UPDATE: Geoff Hobson confirmed Joe Reedy's report that "there are still loose ends to tie up before it is finalized". Hobson wrote that Williams' agent "said he is still talking to the club about a deal that would bring Williams back for a seventh season at right guard."
Part of the holdup is that Williams is on Easter vacation and the sides are apparently waiting for him to get back so he can be updated on the negotiations. It is a deal that has been expected since free agency opened, when head coach Marvin Lewis said he was confident that a deal would get done because of the mutual enthusiasm for the return of one of their offensive captains from the last several years.