Much has been made this season about how the Kansas City Chiefs have utilized rookie corner Nohl Williams. Fans have understandably wanted to see more of a rookie who had contributed at a consistent level. However, the hype slowed a bit in a season-changing 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Williams was one of the few Kansas City defenders who didn't put their best foot forward with Sunday's performance, including a holding penalty that helped the Chargers get out of an early hole. Williams looked the part of a rookie rather than the consistent force he was early in the season.
While one underwhelming game is far from enough to discredit his solid resume, it does slow down the excitement. Perhaps there is a reason accomplished defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has limited the defensive backs' snaps in the latter half of the season. With that said, following Sunday's loss, the season no longer matters beyond keeping the rest of its core players healthy and evaluating younger pieces.
Williams is a part of this and needs to finish strong in the final weeks of the season. It is year one of the rookie contract, leaving no question that the corner can still prove to be an incredible bargain. Kansas City simply needs to continue to cautiously give the defender snaps, evaluating what his place might be in the 2026 defense.
Chiefs' Nohl Williams Has Underwhelming Performance in Devastating Week 15
Outside of evaluating the roster for the future, Kansas City's 2025 season from this point forward no longer matters following Patrick Mahomes' knee injury and the franchise being eliminated from playoff contention. The focus in the trio of games remaining on the Chiefs' season should be putting rookie players and depth pieces to the test to give Andy Reid's staff a chance to understand who can help the team win and which pieces need to be changed.
Williams isn't in danger of being cut based on his contract, but he can use the final three games as a chance to form a better argument to land a 2026 starting role. Week 15 was unquestionably a step in the wrong direction, slowing the excitement around the young defender.
It seems this lines up with a season of misery when everything is failing. Still, there is plenty of road ahead for the rookie to right the ship and prove that there is a bright future remaining. Kansas City has a history of finding surprise depth in the secondary, with GM Brett Veach's savvy secondary additions becoming one of the defining traits of the dynastic run.
Williams could still be another example of this despite the step in the wrong direction in Week 15. Par for the course for a Kansas City team already eliminated and facing what feels like endless 2025 frustrations.