Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
K’Waun Williams explains why he picked the 49ers over Jets, Chiefs in free agency
Mar 30, 2021 at 12:59 PM
•
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
K'Waun Williams had choices in free agency. The New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs were interested. Ultimately, the cornerback opted to stay with the familiar, which meant re-signing with the San Francisco 49ers.
"All the (offered) deals were pretty similar, at the time," Williams told reporters on Tuesday. "I just chose the Niners. I couldn't deny playing with some of my teammates, you know what I mean? In our secondary, we've got Jimmie (Ward), Jaquiski (Tartt), we've got Jason (Verrett), all those guys. Just being able to play one more year with those guys was just too intriguing to me."
Williams visited with the Chiefs before re-signing with San Francisco. Understandably, he didn't want to discuss the Lombardi Trophy from Super Bowl LIV that was probably on display.
"Overall, it was a cool visit and everything," Williams shared. "Besides that, I don't want to bring up the Lombardi anymore. It was cool, though."
Safety Jaquiski Tartt said earlier this month that he was in communication with Williams and hinted that he might be trying to nudge the cornerback in the direction of a return. Cornerback
Jason Verrett was doing the same thing on Instagram.
"Those guys are everything," Williams said. "It was vital to the process. They always asked me to keep them posted on what was going on with the visits and how free agency was going. Ultimately, they wanted me to make a decision that was best for me but deep down inside, they wanted me to come back to the Niners and just do it one more year with them."
Williams isn't sure what his role will be under new defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. He's ready to answer the call, though, and do anything to help the team. While the versatile Williams is considered one of the best slot corners in the league, he knows there is always room for growth.
"There's always room for improvement," he said. "Over these past few years, I've been able to just refine my game in terms of just playing the nickel. I try to play at the highest level, just tackling, being able to get the ball back for our offense, and just growing, being able to lead, give guys words of encouragement, our young guys.
"Just development as a player, I've still got a lot more room to develop as a leader on a team, and that's what I'm looking forward to doing."
Added Williams: "Whatever DeMeco asks of me, I'm ready."
Related News
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Why one analyst is worried for Brock Purdy if 49ers trade Brandon Aiyuk
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy achieved a remarkable feat in 2023, setting a single-season franchise record with 4,280 passing yards. This accomplishment is noteworthy, considering the illustrious quarterbacks who have graced the organization's history.
A significant portion of those yards came from wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who amassed a career-high and team-leading 1,342 receiving yards. Most of his 75 catches originated from passes thrown by Purdy.
Amidst significant offseason chatter surrounding the 49ers' star receiver, including several unsubstantiated trade rumors, Aiyuk's future remains uncertain. Former NFL player James Jones, now an analyst, expressed concern for Purdy should Aiyuk's tenure in the Bay Area come to an end.
"I
5 reasons why 49ers QB Brock Purdy will be better in 2024
The San Francisco 49ers appear to have found their quarterback. It was a bumpy road on the journey to locate him, too. There was the up-and-down tenure of Jimmy Garoppolo, whose relationship with Head Coach Kyle Shanahan seemed dysfunctional, at times. Then there was the short-lived Trey Lance experiment.
Garoppolo and Lance are no longer being with the team, and one major reason is the emergence of Brock Purdy as the team's QB. Purdy finished his second season with a trip to the Super Bowl, after having a Pro Bowl season in which he finished with 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns. He also led the league in multiple statistics, including passer rating (113.0) and QBR (72.8). Additionally, Purdy finished fourth in NFL MVP voting.
But a year ago, no one knew what to
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
