Andy Reid offers more questions than answers regarding the Chiefs' future plans for the cornerback position
While left tackle has posed a significant challenge for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 NFL season, they've also faced difficulties in determining the right mix of cornerbacks since Jaylen Watson was injured. In Week 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Chiefs second-year CB Nazeeh Johnson was replaced by fellow second-year CB Joshua Williams after […]
While left tackle has posed a significant challenge for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 NFL season, they've also faced difficulties in determining the right mix of cornerbacks since Jaylen Watson was injured.
In Week 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Chiefs second-year CB Nazeeh Johnson was replaced by fellow second-year CB Joshua Williams after giving up a 43-yard reception at the onset of the second quarter. Explosive plays are something the defense has been trying to correct in recent weeks, so it's no surprise that the Chiefs felt the need to sit Johnson on defense after that. Johnson effectively replaced Williams on special teams, making a key tackle on a kickoff return later in the second quarter.
"Yeah, listen, glad we have both of them," Reid said. "I think both of them can still work in there and do some things. And we haven't given up on Nazeeh [Johnson] or anything of that sort. I mean, he's coming off pretty major knee surgery and so we've kind of kept an eye on him with that. And I think, as we go forward, we can use both of them, I'm sure."
Who will be the starter opposite Trent McDuffie in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers?
Reid aims to use both Johnson and Williams moving forward, and his comments don't necessarily point to one player or the other as the clear favorite to start opposite McDuffie in Week 14. What's notable here is that we've already been through an injury situation with Johnson once this season, and they went back to him once he was deemed healthy.
Johnson has started the last four games for Kansas City and five total games this season. Johnson started in Week 8, but he suffered a concussion during the game. Williams played 39 snaps in that game and started in Week 9 in place of Johnson due to the injury.
As far as experience goes, Williams is the clear choice for Kansas City. He started four games as a rookie in 2022, even coming off the bench just a few plays into the AFC Championship Game that year to play every single snap, record an interception, and play a big part in the team's postseason success through Super Bowl LVII. He started just two games in 2023.
Williams finished the Week 13 game against the Raiders with four total tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass defended. He graded out with the highest PFF overall grade (79.0) among all Chiefs defensive players in Week 13. According to PFF, he allowed no completions on two targets and had forced incompletions on both targets.
Will new Chiefs LT D.J. Humphries play in Week 14 vs. Chargers? Andy Reid provides the latest updates
The Kansas City Chiefs are getting close to D.J. Humphries becoming their starting left tackle.
