The Arizona Cardinals decided not to match the Kansas City Chiefs offer to Xavier Williams which means the defensive tackle is coming home.
The Kansas City Chiefs have been kicking the tires on various defensive linemen in their hopes to bolster the position in free agency. Now they have finally made their first outside addition to the depth chart with the signing of Xavier Williams, a defensive tackle who previously played for the Arizona Cardinals.
Williams officially signed with the Chiefs after visiting Arrowhead Stadium over the weekend. The former undrafted free agent worked his way up the depth chart with the Cardinals, playing in a career high 11 games last year including 1 start.
The Chiefs had to watch and wait a bit to see whether or not they even got Williams despite already reaching terms on a deal due to his restricted free agent designation. Given his status as an RFA, the Chiefs not only had to reach terms with Williams on a new contract but the Cardinals then had the right to first refusal, meaning they could match the terms and keep Williams for themselves—much like the Chicago Bears just did with cornerback Kyle Fuller.
Williams now joins a Chiefs defensive front that includes Chris Jones, Allen Bailey and Jarvis Jenkins along with roster hopefuls like Justin Hamilton, Josh Augusta and Stefan Charles. Bennie Logan remains a free agent for now, but he should eventually have no problem finding a home.
Previously in free agency, the Chiefs had expressed interest in Panthers lineman Star Lotulelei and had been rumored to be aggressive for defensive line help before free agency began.