IN WILLIAMS’ third year, that description is starting to fit the 24-year-old. After primarily being on the field in nickel and dime packages in 2023 and 2024, one of the offseason adjustments made by coach Jonathan Gannon was keeping Williams on the field in base packages.
A knee injury sidelined Williams for five weeks, but through six games, he has 25 tackles, five passes defensed, a forced fumble, and a touchdown-saving interception against the Jaguars. The takeaway occurred in the same part of the end zone where he sustained the aforementioned injury.
Against the Jaguars, Williams played every snap.
“I love the way that he plays the ball down field because a lot of DBs who come in the league don’t understand how to play the ball when it’s in the air,” Peterson said. “He does a really good job of playing through the receivers, getting his head around at the same time, and most importantly, being really patient at the line of scrimmage.”
Wins on the field are what Williams and the Cardinals are striving to accomplish. With those victories comes the personal accolades. Last year, Williams earned a spot as a second-team All-Pro from Pro Football Focus.
But respect, like he has earned from Peterson, is what fuels Williams.
“From your peers that you play with and against, and former players, and even when coaches compliment you, those are the comments you hold onto,” Williams said. “(Players) understand and see the game a little bit differently. When you can get it from peers like that, it always means a lot. It’s always humbling and makes you want to keep going.”
It’s a similar feeling for Peterson.