After struggling in coverage during the 2024 season, the Kansas City Chiefs spent resources this offseason adding to their cornerback room. The Chiefs signed former Tennessee Titans CB Kristian Fulton and drafted Nohl Williams out of the University of California. They also added journeyman Robert Rochell to add an experienced depth piece.
Unfortunately for Rochell, he didn't even make it to the start of OTAs. That said, the 27-year-old journeyman may have just been gifted a chance to make an NFL roster.
According to Adam Schefter, Houston Texans cornerback Ronald Darby retired on Monday. Darby's retirement opens up another spot in the Texans' cornerback room and on their 90-man preseason roster. As a result, Rochell is an option who could tempt Houston in the coming days.
Another retirement: Veteran CB Ronald Darby, who played 10 seasons and helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII, informed the Houston Texans that he is retiring from the NFL, per sources. pic.twitter.com/ZC9RqbSqqv
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 2, 2025
Former Chief Robert Rochell Could Join AFC Rival after Surprise Retirement
Before signing with Kansas City, Rochell spent the last two seasons in Green Bay. With the Packers, the 27-year-old was a key special-teams player but never played a defensive snap. Prior to his time in Green Bay, Rochell played for the Los Angeles Rams.
In 2021, he played 32% of the defensive snaps, recording 14 tackles, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one interception. Furthermore, he had a 60.7 coverage grade that year, according to PFF. Be that as it may, 2021 was Rochell's only season with any real playing time at cornerback.
Thus, if Houston does bring him in for OTAs and training camp, Chiefs Kingdom has no reason to worry that he'd impact the outcome of the two teams' matchup in 2025. In fact, Chiefs fans would be cheering to see Rochell suit up at cornerback because that would mean Houston's top CBs are injured.
While only time will tell if the Texans sign Rochell, the excitement for these two teams Week 14 clash this season is high.