Chiefs lose Joshua Williams in latest NFL free agency news
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Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams.
The Kansas City Chiefs suffered another NFL free agency departure on the evening of March 9, as cornerback Joshua Williams agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans.
“The Titans aren’t done: They’re signing former Chiefs CB Joshua Williams to a two-year deal, source said,” NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported on X.
Tom Pelissero
The Titans aren’t done: They’re signing former Chiefs CB Josh Williams to a two-year deal, source said.
Williams was a fourth-round selection in 2022. He’ll always be remembered as a somewhat disappointing draft pick, despite helping the Chiefs win two Super Bowls.
Over his four-year tenure with the team, Williams appeared in 75 total games, including the playoffs. However, he only started 12 of those games, despite being groomed as a first-team prospect.
In the end, Williams displayed some quality traits, but he lacked the ball skills and tackling necessary to cut it in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system.
The 26-year-old achieved 2 interceptions as a rookie, and nothing since. He has been credited with 19 total passes defended, 4 tackles for a loss, and 1.0 sack.
Chiefs Have Growing Secondary Need After Early NFL Free Agency News
Chiefs relying on Steve Spagnuolo after NFL free agency news
GettyThe Kansas City Chiefs will trust in veteran defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to rebuild the secondary once again.
Williams completes a trio of Titans’ cornerback signings on day one of NFL free agency, with Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott set to join Tennessee as well, and he also continues the KC exodus in the secondary.
After trading star cornerback Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs promptly lost starting safety Bryan Cook and starting cornerback Jaylen Watson on the open market. Williams is the latest DB departure, and the concerning trend creates a clear need in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Chiefs are armed with a ton of draft capital after the McDuffie trade, and you can bet general manager Brett Veach will be using a few selections on defensive backs.
Ironically, most of these departures are from the 2022 draft class. And history could repeat itself in 2026.
With several members of 2022’s “fab five” leaving KC, Veach will once again utilize a blockbuster trade to restock the ranks. The only difference is that this time, the Chiefs got ahead of the game.
Veach signed Kristian Fulton and drafted Nohl Williams last offseason. They have also added intriguing young talent at safety (Jaden Hicks) and nickel (Christian Roland-Wallace and Kevin Knowles).
Many believed these moves signaled Watson, Cook, and Joshua Williams departures, but McDuffie was the real curveball. The Chiefs have a lot of work to do in the secondary, but the situation isn’t as dire as it seems.