K’Waun Williams returns to 49ers after a visit with K.C. Chiefs

On Tuesday, the K.C. Chiefs hosted free agent cornerback K’Waun Williams for a free agent visit at Arrowhead. On Wednesday, the San Francisco 49ers re-signed Williams to a one-year deal.

According to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, a “return to SF was always possible,” which makes this player visit feel a bit like the Trent Williams news earlier this month when the Chiefs were reportedly in the running and even the favorites to sign him until the Niners stepped in with a winning offer to retain their own player.

Williams was brought in as a potential addition to an already loaded secondary as a potential slot corner who could excel when blitzing and defending the run. The move would have given defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo versatility in the defensive backfield, not only as a player himself but with what the team could also do when employing L’Jarius Sneed and Tyrann Mathieu around him.

Instead, Williams will return to the team for which he’s played the last four seasons in the NFL. Williams has 51 games played with 172 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 7 forced fumbles in that span. As for the Chiefs, they’re forced to look elsewhere.

The 49ers re-signed cornerback K’Waun Williams after the corner visited K.C. Chiefs on Tuesday.

The Chiefs certainly have reasons to be hopeful about their depth at corner this next season with a lot of burgeoning talent who can be expected to only get better in ’21 and beyond. Sneed looked dynamic as a first-year contributor. Charvarius Ward should return as a restricted free agent as a potential starter outside, and former first-round pick Deandre Baker is now in the fold as another possible starter on the boundary. Rashad Fenton, BoPete Keyes, Chris Lammons and Rodney Clemons all return as depth players competing for special teams roles.

Still the Chiefs are likely going to want a veteran in the mix. It’s possible that Bashaud Breeland is brought back for another year or more. It’s also possible the Chiefs go fishing for someone else. Williams was a surprising name until he was scheduled to visit, so it will be interesting to see where the Chiefs look next.

At the very least, the team’s inability to sign Williams for one reason or another—whether his choice or their choice—isn’t that big of a concern given the talent already at the position.