There were rumors during training camp last year the Lions were interested in trading for Mason Rudolph. He's a free agent now. He would be a perfectly fine backup. Rudolph is another example of a team wasting a draft pick. Pittsburgh wasted a 3rd round pick on Rudolph. In the same draft just six pick later the Lions selected Tracy Walker. Even Bob Quinn knew better. He at least wasted 6th round picks on QBs.
Mason Rudolph is still available. I feel the Lions were connected to him a year or two ago. You have bigger names like Wentz and Ryan although I don't think Wentz is a fit culturally. Brian Hoyer has also been a good career backup but I'm not sure if he is healthy. Flacco is available but he is 38. Tom Brady is still listed as a free agent. There's some good options.
They are conflicting but I get the sense the Lions wanted to move on from Williams. I commend them for not overpaying for Williams and moving on to a better player. I wish they did the same with Anzalone.
Just sign some other team's wasted 6th round pick to be a backup. Top backups don't want to come to a team where the starter is firmly entrenched, didn't miss a single snap the entire season, and has only missed 3 games due to injury over 6 years.
They save about $3 million more if they cut him post June 1st. They don't need the cap space now so there is no point to cut him now. They could designate him as a June 1st cut and that would make him a free agent immediately. I think he makes it to training camp and is evaluated to see if he's healthy and given an opportunity to make the roster.