Chiefs explain decision to play Kristian Fulton over Nohl Williams vs. Broncos
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs activated Kristian Fulton over rookie Nohl Williams despite limited reps.
- Fulton struggled in return, allowing big plays on two key third-down attempts.
- Coaches cite health and mental readiness as reason to rotate Fulton and Williams.
This offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Kristian Fulton to a two-year, $20 million contract with hopes that his veteran experience would bolster the defensive back room.
The theory behind the move was that Fulton’s outside experience would allow coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to deploy All-Pro Trent McDuffie more frequently in the slot. However, beginning in training camp, injuries prevented Fulton from getting the on-field reps necessary to grasp the details of Spagnuolo’s defense.
After undergoing a knee cleanup procedure, the 27-year-old did not begin training camp until August 7. He managed to ramp up in time to play in Week 1, but he only saw two snaps in Week 2 before sustaining an ankle injury.
Thanks to the ankle issue, Fulton was limited in practice and missed the next three games. Then came the unexpected.
Although he was a full participant in Week 6 against the Detroit Lions, Fulton was a healthy scratch, a coach’s decision that remained in place all the way up to last week’s Week 11 game against the Denver Broncos.
In Fulton’s absence, third-round rookie Nohl Williams performed admirably, totaling 148 total snaps. Per Pro Football Focus, he allowed eight receptions for 61 yards on 15 targets and missed just three tackles on 15 attempts.
Coming out of the bye, the Chiefs deemed Fulton ready, relegating Williams to special teams and making Joshua Williams inactive.
“We’ve been trying to get (Fulton) back out there for a month or whatever it’s been,” Spagnuolo said. “First it was the health, and then when we finally got over that hurdle, then it was — when Dave and I talked — is he ready mentally?
“He’s been in a tough situation. If you guys go all the way back when we got him in OTAs, he didn’t practice a lot. He was hurt. Got to training camp, he’s hurt, so he’s really a rookie in the system. So there were a couple of weeks there where it was about: does he have it all down now? And that took a little. And then we got to the bye week and said this might be a time to get him out there. So that’s what we did.”
Fulton was immediately tested. On the Broncos’ opening drive, Denver facing third-and-11, he appeared responsible for Courtland Sutton in soft coverage, surrendering an easy 21-yard gain on an in-breaking route.
Later, with the game tied 6-6 in the third quarter, Fulton matched up against Troy Franklin on third-and-8. He missed initial contact at the line, losing a step instantly. Bo Nix hit Franklin in stride for 35 yards — a critical play on a touchdown drive that gave Denver a 13-6 lead.
Across nine total snaps, Fulton registered two tackles. It likely wasn’t the return performance he’d hope’d for, but it seems the Chiefs feel they can only keep the $20 million man riding the bench for so long.
“When you look at it, Kristian was brought in here to play — and I think we all know that,” defensive backs coach Dave Merrit said. “And so when a young man who was brought here to play is ready to go, you’re trying to get him in there — trying to get him in the rotation.
“He had some setbacks early in his career here. He’s ready to go, and so we’re going to continue to try to give Nohl some snaps as well as Kristian — but he was brought here to play for us.”
Spagnuolo said both Fulton and Williams should see rotational time as the season progresses, but the indication is that Fulton will continue receiving opportunities to help him regain form — including this weekend in a got-to-have-it game against the Indianapolis Colts.
“We’ll see how the reps go this week, but both of those guys are probably gonna play at some point for us,” Spagnuolo said. “I thought Kristian did a pretty good job (in Denver).
“He had that one that I’m sure he would’ve liked to have back — that long pass play — but we’re going to need all these guys down the stretch here.”
This story was originally published November 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
