One Decision the Chiefs’ Coaching Staff Already Got Right This Preseason

Oftentimes, the offseason program and training camp can make decisions more difficult for teams. The Kansas City Chiefs are no different in some regards, as injuries and unexpected risers and fallers leave the club with some tough calls to make by the end of this month.

One of the team's choices, however, has never been clearer. That's remained the case all throughout camp and into the preseason. Following a spring of change in the defensive backfield, many wondered who would be the players to step up and replace the losses of Bryan Cook at safety and both Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson at cornerback.

At the boundary corner spot, in particular, was it second-year man Nohl Williams or veteran Kristian Fulton assuming a starting gig opposite first-round rookie Mansoor Delane? The former seemingly carried a higher ceiling, although the latter also came on strong down the stretch in 2025-26 and is being paid significantly more to do the job.

The Chiefs have shown with their actions over the past month-plus that it's Williams, and that seems to be precisely the right call as August rolls on.

It didn't take much of an opportunity for Williams to prove KC correct in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams. On just nine defensive snaps, he logged an impressive pass breakup on third down to force a punt and a nice crash downhill for a tackle. He was Pro Football Focus' second-highest-graded Chiefs defender last Saturday afternoon, trailing only safety Jaden Hicks.

Head coach Andy Reid took note of Williams' stellar showing, praising the sophomore corner for his improvements since entering the league last April.

“At this point, he’s done a good job," Reid said. "He had a good offseason program, the OTA part of it. Out here, he’s been strong. Strong where he can bend, maintain that bend and still move with his feet. We overemphasize, (defensive backs coach) Dave (Merritt) overemphasizes all of that, ‘use your feet, use your feet,’ and then be able to build cushions from there, and angles. He does a nice job with that; he’s really worked hard at that.”

In order for the Chiefs' ongoing retooling process to work out, they absolutely need Williams to be a "hit" of a draft pick. That's especially true given Fulton's lack of a statement offseason, L'Jarius Sneed's chronic knee situation, rookie Jadon Canady's inexperience and Delane still working his way back from an injury of his own. There are so many moving parts in a rebuilding secondary, so having a reliable player would go a long way.

The early returns on Williams being a trusted piece are positive. After he flashed a gritty, physical brand of football in year one, all signs since May have pointed to his arrow continuing to point up. This doesn't mean he's a lock to maintain that status or there won't be growing pains, but it does mean Kansas City might be able to breathe at least one sigh of relief once the regular season gets off and running.

Williams was a winner of OTAs and camp, which carried into the first preseason game. Should that parlay itself into regular-season output, the Chiefs' investment will have been well worth it.

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