As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for the 2025 NFL season, the grueling process of whittling down a 90-man roster to a lean 53 is underway. Training camp is in full swing, and the stakes are sky-high for players fighting to secure their spot. For some, it’s a chance to shine; for others, it’s a make-or-break moment. One player, in particular, finds himself at a crossroads: Joshua Williams, a former fourth-round pick from 2022, whose time with the Chiefs may be running out after just one preseason game.
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Joshua Williams arrived in Kansas City with promise. A Day 3 gem, he quickly carved out a role as a reliable contributor, particularly on special teams. Over three seasons, Williams racked up 91 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, and six pass defenses across 50 games. His Pro Football Focus grades—63.0 in 2022, a standout 74.4 in 2023, and 64.3 in 2024—reflect a player who, at his best, could hold his own in a competitive secondary.
Williams initially thrived on special teams, logging 921 snaps and earning a solid 68.4 grade in 2022. But cracks began to show. His special teams performance dipped to a 65.8 grade in 2023 and plummeted to 61.0 last season. Penalties became a persistent issue, with three flags (one declined) in 2023 and five in 2024, placing him among the league’s most-penalized special teamers. Only Kris Boyd (seven penalties) and C.J. Goodwin (six) of the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys, respectively, fared worse last season.
The Chiefs’ cornerback position was a weak link last season, prompting the team to sign veteran Kristian Fulton in the offseason. Even with Fulton sidelined by a knee injury, Williams finds himself buried on the depth chart. Listed as a third-string cornerback ahead of the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, he trails Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Nazeeh Johnson, Kevin Knowles, and rookie standout Nohl Williams, a third-round pick. The numbers are brutal: with only so many roster spots available, Williams is on the outside looking in.
As the preseason unfolds, Williams has a narrow window—three weeks—to prove he belongs. A strong showing could force the Chiefs’ coaching staff, led by Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, to reconsider his place on the team. His versatility and experience could still be assets, but the penalties and declining special teams production weigh heavily. The Chiefs’ front office has a reputation for making tough, calculated decisions, and Williams must deliver standout performances to avoid being cut.
If Williams fails to secure a roster spot, his departure could spark debate among Chiefs fans. On one hand, cutting a former fourth-round pick after just one preseason game might seem like a disaster—a sign of a draft misstep or a failure to develop talent. Williams has shown flashes of potential, and his 74.4 PFF grade in 2023 suggests he can compete at the NFL level. Losing him could sting, especially if he thrives elsewhere.
On the other hand, the Chiefs’ decision could be a masterstroke. The team’s secondary is undergoing a transformation, with young talents like Nohl Williams and established stars like Trent McDuffie leading the charge. Clearing space for fresh faces and prioritizing discipline over potential could bolster Kansas City’s defense as they chase another Super Bowl. The addition of Fulton signals a commitment to upgrading the cornerback room, and parting ways with Williams might be a necessary step to maintain roster flexibility.
As the preseason kicks off, all eyes will be on Joshua Williams. Can he channel his early-career promise and silence doubters with a dominant performance? Or will his time in Kansas City end abruptly, marking him as another draft pick who couldn’t quite stick? The next three weeks will tell the tale, and for Williams, it’s now or never.