Darrel Williams Landing Spots: Can Williams turn his 2021 season into a hefty payday at a new team?

With the Kansas City Chiefs in the hunt for a third straight Super Bowl appearance, the future of Darrel Williams remains uncertain. Williams, soon to be a free agent, will begin the process of finding a new landing spot. Where could Williams log in? free agency in the 2022 offseason to help fill a void in an NFL team’s backfield?

Darrel Williams landing spots

The Chiefs’ backfield has been a hot topic in recent seasons. While they did spend a first-round pick on Clyde Edwards-Helaire following their Super Bowl win, it has remained a committee.

When given the chance, Williams has been a solid collaborator, with many saying he looked better than Edwards-Helaire at times. Williams, a fourth-year comeback from LSU, had a career year in 2021. Playing in all 17 regular season games, Williams rushed 144 times for 558 yards with 6 touchdowns, accounting for 43.1% of the rushing share of Kansas City. He was also involved in the passing game, registering 57 goals (9.1%) with 47 receptions for 452 yards and 2 additional touchdowns. Williams finished the season as the No. 5 RB in passing yards, tied with D’Andre Swift and ahead of Alvin Kamara.

While Williams isn’t a leading rusher, he could be useful as a backup for a team that needs a reliable No. 2 or someone to work the receiving game. And for an estimated market value of three years and $6.6 million (by Spotrac), I doubt it will take Williams long to find a new landing spot. He is a proven asset in the passing game and as a runner between tackles.

Williams showed this season that she can handle a heavier load. Pairing him with, say, a rookie RB could be a phenomenal way to beef up a running game while spending a minimal amount against the salary cap.

Could the Chicago Bears be a potential landing spot?

The Bears are going through the process of reshaping their team from top to bottom. That includes the offense. David Montgomery is a player you can build with, but he only has one year left on his contract. Aside from Darnell Mooney on the perimeter and Cole Kmet at TE, there are few, if any, noteworthy skill players Justin Fields can use.

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Williams could be a great option at RB and can play all three times. The Bears lost a full year of Tarik Cohen at wide receiver, and Williams could fill the void. A player like Williams could be a solid addition as a rotational piece with Montgomery and Khalil Herbert.

The Arizona Cardinals will be a popular landing spot for many RBs.

Despite their unceremonious exit from the playoffs, the Arizona Cardinals are still in a good place as a team. That said, the RB position will be a huge issue to address in the offseason with James Conner and Chase Edmonds set to become free agents. I’d expect at least one of them to return, but I’m not sure if they want to spend the estimated $26 million over the next three years at RB.

Williams could work well on Arizona’s offense, potentially serving as the No. 2 for Conner, who just finished the season with 18 touchdowns and 1,127 scrimmage yards. If this comes to fruition, he could be one of the more low-key solid signings in free agency.

The Chiefs will probably try to keep Darrel Williams on the roster

I’m not saying he should take the local discount, but Williams might be interested in staying in Kansas City after a year of racing. Likewise, I’m sure they’d be more than happy to keep it on the list. Edwards-Helaire always looked banged up, and the Chiefs know what Williams can do as a lead rusher.

In games in which Williams saw 10 or more carries (seven games), he averaged 14.1 attempts, 4.4 targets, 95.7 total yards, and scored 6 touchdowns. Those are not numbers to scoff at, and I think the Chiefs would do well to keep him around. Sometimes the best place to land is the one you already have.

Williams could help the Texans solidify their running game

Texans need help basically everywhere. The broker is no exception.

David Johnson, for whom Houston traded DeAndre Hopkins just two years ago, is a free agent, as is Royce Freeman. The Texans even brought in Phillip Lindsay for a while before cutting him midseason. Rex Burkhead had a decent year as a do-it-all RB and was rewarded with a one-year extension and $2.35 million for the 2022 season.

Is Houston an attractive landing spot for Williams? Of course not.

However, if you want volume, going to a team like the Texans with a shaky backfield might be the way to go. He maybe he could bet on himself with a one-year deal. If Williams plays well, he could prepare well to cash in during the 2023 free-agent cycle when he’d still be 27 years old.