Report: Arizona Cardinals signing former Kansas City Chiefs running back Darrel Williams

The Cardinals are signing former Kansas City Chiefs running back Darrel Williams, according to a report by NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

The 5-foot-11, 224-pound Williams joined the Chiefs as an undrafted rookie free agent out of LSU in 2018 and worked his way up Kansas City’s depth chart in each of the past three seasons. In 2021, he totaled 1,010 yards from scrimmage, rushing for 558 yards and catching 47 passes for 452 yards and two more scores.

He had no fumbles despite 191 total touches.

The addition of Williams, 27, further strengthens the Cardinals at the running back position, where they brought back veteran James Conner on a three-year deal after he scored 18 total touchdowns last season, but lost Chase Edmonds to the Dolphins in free agency.

Arizona drafted USC’s Keaontay Ingram with a sixth-round pick amid speculation he might emerge as the eventual replacement for Edmonds. Williams, though, now clearly seems to move into the No. 2 role on the depth chart, although Ingram is sure to get his opportunities. The Cardinals also have Eno Benjamin, Jonathan Ward, and Jalen Samuels along with undrafted free agent rookies Ronnie Rivers and T.J. Pledger.

According to Schultz, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes vouched for Williams in recent conversations with the Cardinals, telling the team he both likes and trusts the running back. Mahomes played for Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury when the two were at Texas Tech. The Cardinals meet the Chiefs in the 2022 season opener on Sept. 11 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

Have an opinion on the Arizona Cardinals? Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic.com and follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac. Listen to him live on Fox Sports 910-AM every Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 on Calling All Sports with Roc and Manuch. 

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