The Kansas City Chiefs made a big move this offseason, bringing in cornerback Kristian Fulton with hopes he’d steady a shaky secondary. They handed him a two-year, $20 million deal after trading away L’Jarius Sneed last season. But instead of stepping into the spotlight, Fulton’s story has been more like a warning sign, while some unexpected names have quietly taken over the scene. 

Fulton came in with all the hype you’d expect from a big signing. After showing flashes with the Tennessee Titans and the Los Angeles Chargers, Chiefs Kingdom was counting on him to bring some steady hands to the cornerback room. But a knee surgery slowed him at camp. Then, barely into his second regular-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he went down again. This time, an ankle injury derailed his momentum.  

Injuries have been a real hurdle for Fulton, making it tough for him to lock down a spot. Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ cornerback room, which was a real question mark last year for Andy Reid, has suddenly started looking a lot stronger. It’s almost like they flipped a switch overnight. 

Cornerback Jaylen Watson has seized his opportunity. Coming off a lost 2024 season marred by injury, Watson’s been on a mission to prove he belongs as the team’s number two corner. Across the first three weeks, he has logged 22 tackles, one pick, and 3 passes defended. Rookie addition Nohl Williams has kicked the door open, thriving in extended snaps and growing game by game. So far, he has 5 tackles and two passes defended. All of this comes in stark contrast to Kristian Fulton’s single tackle on the stat sheet in two games. 

All-Pro Trent McDuffie remains the heartbeat of this group. Watson’s playing well, and Williams is coming on strong. With this, the whole idea of Fulton being the go-to corner is slipping away. Instead, he might end up as the fourth option. And for a corner with that kind of paycheck, that’s a tough spot to be in Kansas City.

The cornerback shakeup: Kristian Fulton’s fade, and rising stars

Off the field, the numbers tell a harsh story. Fulton carries a $13 million cap hit next year. The Chiefs might need that space to keep Watson, a pending free agent, or to plan for the expensive extension looming for McDuffie. Against that backdrop, Arrowhead Addict’s Lyle Graversen asks a difficult question: “Would the Chiefs be willing to cut Fulton, clearing $5 million in space to try to bring Watson back?”On the field, Watson and Williams have really put this question front and center.

Williams has been turning heads as a rookie, making things easier and tougher at the same time for the coaches. The big unknown? Can the rookie handle the season’s pressure, and where does Fulton fit when it’s time to rotate? Watson has been playing like he’s got something to prove, hungry to show last year’s injury was just a bump in the road.

Fulton, on the other hand, has been a limited participant on the practice field lately. Chances are slim he’ll get much time against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. At this point, his best move might be making the most of being a backup or hoping another injury opens a door. For a big-money signing, that’s a tough spot. The depth behind Fulton feels like a win for the Chiefs, but it’s shaping up as a headache for him.

Last season, opposing quarterbacks tormented KC’s depth behind McDuffie. This year, the roles have flipped. Now it’s a question of who sits, not who starts. Fulton, stuck between injuries and teammates stepping up, could become the highest-paid fourth corner in the league. Unless things change quickly, that $20 million gamble might never get a real return under Andy Reid.