The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2025 season with a vastly improved cornerback group compared to what it was in 2024. This offseason, the Chiefs signed veteran Kristian Fulton and drafted Nohl Williams. With returning players like Jaylen Watson and Chamarri Conner also in the mix, Kansas City is well equipped to handle potential injuries at the position.
That said, one former Chiefs cornerback signed with an AFC rival on Wednesday. According to Aaron Wilson of KRPC2 Houston, the Houston Texans signed cornerback Damon Arnette Jr to a contract. While Arnette had a very short tenure with the Chiefs, his joining a perennial contender as a depth piece could be an issue.
Sources: #Texans signing @XFLRoughnecks corner #Raiders first-round draft pick Damon Arnette Jr. @KPRC2 https://t.co/GV1O1HtFNw
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 18, 2025
Former Chiefs CB Damon Arnette Jr. Signs with Texans
On January 20, 2022, Arnette signed a reserve/futures contract with the Chiefs. However, nine days later, Kansas City released him due to an arrest. Prior to his short stay in Kansas City, Arnette was a first-round pick of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.
Despite the high hopes the Raiders had for him, the former Ohio State standout struggled to get his footing in the NFL. In two seasons, he played 13 games and recorded 29 tackles and three pass deflections. Furthermore, he registered a 37.5 pass coverage grade in 2020 (215/232 CBs) and a 29.6 pass coverage grade in 2021 (230/238 CBs), according to PFF.
Still, the potential the 28-year-old showed in college is earning him jobs. In 2024, Arnette played for the Houston Roughnecks in the United Football League (UFL). With the Roughnecks, he recorded 19 tackles, one sack, and one interception. Though those aren't incredible stats, his play was enough to catch the eye of the Texans.
Having said that, Arnette has recently been in more legal trouble. So, Houston could be taking a huge risk signing the former Chiefs, which should make Chiefs Kingdom happy.