The Chiefs will lose another starter from their Super Bowl champion team to an opt-out decision. Damien Williams informed the team he will not play this season.
This news follows longtime Kansas City guard starter Laurent Duvernay-Tardif‘s decision, which preceded several players’ choices to bypass 2020 amid COVID-19 concerns. Williams became the Chiefs’ starting running back shortly after the team waived Kareem Hunt in 2018. He was again set for a key role this season.
Williams, 28, delivered an inconsistent regular season; the Chiefs ranked 23rd in rushing offense. But the former Dolphins backup again produced in the playoffs. Williams scored six playoff touchdowns and had the best non-Patrick Mahomes claim to the Super Bowl LIV MVP award after totaling 133 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. He scored four TDs in the 2018 postseason.
Kansas City, however, has some interesting options in its backfield. First-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire will now be on track to start this season. The LSU product was one of college football’s most difficult tackling assignments last season and will join a high-powered Chiefs offense — one now in need of a starting running back. Edwards-Helaire is the only running back an Andy Reid-led team has selected in Round 1 during the future Hall of Fame coach’s 21 years as a head coach. The Chiefs also have young backs Darwin Thompson and Darrel Williams as options beyond Edwards-Helaire.
Williams’ contract ran through 2020. He was to make $1.85MM in base salary this season on a deal that will now toll to 2021.
here’s to hoping no one’s put any big bets down on this season yet
It will happen in full. It may be a mess, but it will happen. Someone should send Damien the story of Wally Pipp
Not even close to Pipp story
What do you figure would be the Super Bowl equivalent of an Orioles/Pirates World Series?
I’d say the same as Unicorns/Leprechauns.
Jaguars/Redskins, I guess. There’s just not as many teams in the NFL that have absolutely no shot. Even Washington at least has a formidable front seven
Lions and browns
Damien Williams just don’t demoted full time.
He went from RB1 on a title contender to most likely gone by the end of his contract.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire will take over that RB role and now that Williams isn’t in his way he will play more snaps with Mahomes and will become a bigger part of that offence than he would’ve been. By the start of next season Clyde will be a big part of the team and Williams will have to try work his way back
How long before Jamaal Charles tweets that he’s ready to make a comeback?