NASHVILLE – Joshua Williams knows what success looks like – the new Titans cornerback has two Super Bowl rings from his days with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Williams feels like better days are ahead in Tennessee, and he's happy to be a part of the change.
In fact, he wants to help as much as he can.
"I am 100 percent here to do whatever they ask me," said Williams, "but I am definitely looking to come in and compete and help out the defense as well. I know I can do that, and know I can add a lot of value to the defensive side of the ball as well as special teams."
Looking back, Williams said it's crazy how things worked out, resulting in him landing in Tennessee.
He still remembers leaving the field at Nissan Stadium last December as a member of the Chiefs, impressed by the Titans, who won that game, 26-9. The Titans finished last season 3-14, but Williams said he saw potential.
"I was saying to myself: This team could be good next year if they get a couple of pieces," Williams recalled. "And now they have the coaches, some new (players) in free agency (and the draft). I think they have a great thing going. I think there is going to be a big shift in just this whole program, and I am excited to be a part of it."
After spending his first four NFL seasons with the Chiefs, the 6-foot-3, 201-pound cornerback signed with the Titans back in March to compete for playing time in the team's new-look defense, and to contribute on special teams.
In his NFL career, Williams has played in 65 career games, with 12 starts, and he's recorded 86 tackles, 18 passes defensed, a sack and an interception while playing a key role on special teams. Williams started a career-high six games for Kansas City in 2024. During his rookie season in 2022, when he started four games, Williams intercepted Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in the AFC Championship Game.
Williams is in Tennessee, in part, because of his past with Titans General Manager Mike Borgonzi, formerly assistant GM with the Chiefs. It turns out Borgonzi was closely watching Williams work while in Kansas City, and thought he'd be a good fit in Tennessee.
With the Titans, Williams has also been reunited with Titans defensive pass game coordinator/cornerbacks coach Tony Oden, his coach at the Senior Bowl, and with Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor, who he trained with leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft. Williams said he's long admired Titans quarterback Cam Ward from afar.
"Of course I would speak to Mike in passing, but I was hearing the things he was saying about me and I didn't know that he had seen a lot of things I was doing the first few years (in Kansas City), because I was just trying to work and get myself adjusted to the NFL," Williams said of Borgonzi. "Apparently that is one of the things he just really appreciated. It just goes to show you your hard work never goes unnoticed, especially with a talent like him, who knows how to find them, and pick them out. It feels excellent (that he wanted me here)."
In Tennessee, Williams has worked in the defense, and on special teams, in practices, although he's been wearing a yellow non-contact jersey in recent weeks because of a pectoral injury.
Williams did not play in the team's preseason opener against the 49ers, but he has been making plays in practice, and he's edging closer to being cleared. Even in the yellow jersey, he's made his presence known.
"He's getting closer to full contact and so there's moments where he's testing it," coach Robert Saleh said of Williams. "He's at least being smart where he's not catching guys off guard. But I like him a lot, man. He's a big, long corner, he's physical at the line of scrimmage, he's very smart, he's instinctive. He's also a great special teams player. So, he's definitely a NFL caliber corner."
Williams, who became the first player to be drafted out of Fayetteville State when he was taken by the Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, wants to help.
It's safe to say he has the experience, and the hunger.
"Special teams, and also being able to come in and put my impact on defense, I am excited about that, too," Williams said. "I am going to be doing anything they ask of me. If they ask me to help you write some (stories), I can do that, too."
