The Kansas City Chiefs fought tooth and nail to pull off their comeback victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon. It was the type of gutsy effort the Chiefs needed to keep their postseason hopes alive; however, that doesn't change the fact that their latest effort shone the spotlight on a negative contributor in the secondary.
Third-year cornerback Chamarri Conner has been a recent source of Chiefs fans' frustration throughout the 2025 NFL season. That trend bled into the Week 12 victory, as the former Virginia Tech defender finished Sunday with a team-worst 50.4 coverage grade in Pro Football Focus, as well as the third-worst mark on the team for overall defense (54.4).
With Conner's constantly frustrating play showing no signs of ending soon, it's time for the Chiefs to reconsider how he fits into the secondary's plans.
Chiefs Must Limit Chamarri Conner's Opportunities in Week 13 & Beyond
The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster ride for anyone following Conner, for better or for worse. Do PFF grades always paint the full picture? No, but the 25-year-old's performance throughout the year gives a good indication of how tough he's been to watch:
Date Range | Average PFF Coverage Grade |
|---|---|
Weeks 1-5 | 55.8 |
Weeks 6-7 | 72.8 |
Weeks 8-12 | 54.0 |
Aside from that mid-season bump, Conner's coverage performance has often trended on the wrong side of the equation. His latest outings have created an even bigger cause for concern, as he's now allowed 13 catches on 17 targets in his last four outings for 194 yards (97 yards after catch), a touchdown, and a passer rating of 106.3 or worse in each of those games. It's incredibly hard to get excited any time his number is seen on the field.
The Chiefs were lucky that Conner didn't cost them against the Colts, but they might not be as fortunate every week. There are going to be times when his less-than-reliable coverage comes back to bite Kansas City, which is why Reid & Co. might want to consider replacing their struggling CB with someone who deserves a chance to sign.
Chamarri Conner's Struggles Should Open Door for Nohl Williams
Rookie cornerback Nohl Williams is someone whom Chiefs fans are dying to see play more frequently. The 2025 third-round pick has been predominantly used in a backup role, suiting up for 148 defensive snaps in 10 games (1 start) before Week 12 began. Surprisingly, the Ventura, CA native didn't even see one snap against the Colts on Sunday, despite Conner's issues.
Williams made quite the impact early on in his rookie year, posting a PFF coverage grade of 90.7 or better in each of his first three games. His playing time has been a bit all over the place since then, but he did see a career-high 44 defensive snaps against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. He was then scratched against the Denver Broncos last week before his silent Sunday this weekend.
The Chiefs used a Day 2 pick on Williams for a reason, so there's no reason he should be taking a backseat to Conner. Hell, even offseason bust Kristian Fulton saw a few defensive snaps, hinting that he might have more of the coaching staff's ear than his rookie counterpart.
Regardless of why he isn't being used, the Chiefs can't keep disservicing Williams. Not when every upcoming game could be the difference between making and missing the playoffs. Reid needs to find a way to get the rookie on the field, especially if it means removing a detriment (Conner) in the process.
The Chiefs have a quick turnaround before facing the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, leaving time to tell if Kansas City will do right by Williams or continue making the same Conner-related mistakes.