In his first season with his new team, former Ravens defensive tackle Brandon Williams will be accomplishing one of his final goals as a pro: playing in the Super Bowl.
Williams, who turns 34 later this month, joined Kansas City’s practice squad on Nov. 30 before being elevated to the active roster on Dec. 8. He made an impact in his Chiefs debut against the Broncos on Dec. 11, registering two quarterback hits and half-sack. Since being elevated to the Chiefs’ active roster, Williams has appeared in every game while playing a limited role on the defensive side.
After just seven games with his new squad, Williams will be playing in the Super Bowl.
“I was just chilling on my couch,” Williams said on Glenn Clark Radio Feb. 2. “I definitely didn’t see this coming, but it’s totally a blessing. It’s definitely a blessing and I’m going to take in every moment.”
The Ravens drafted Williams in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, and he had a successful nine-year career in Baltimore. The 6-foot-1, 335-pound lineman played in 128 regular-season games, starting 114, while racking up 323 tackles. Williams earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2018.
The Ravens did not re-sign Williams after the 2021 season, making him a free agent. He spent the first few months of the season at his home thinking that his ninth season may have been his final one.
“I was actually in that mode. I was right at that point of, you know what, we’re getting late in the season. Trades and all that stuff are pretty much almost done, so at this moment I’ll be fine with nine,” Williams said. “Every goal I kind of wanted to conquer for my family was already done so at this point it was more of a goal for me, to keep playing.”
Williams’ stint with the Chiefs is a homecoming of sorts for him, as he has deep ties to Missouri. The defensive end grew up there, played high school football there and later played college ball at Division II Missouri Southern.
Williams said he came “full circle” by signing with the Chiefs.
“In my 10th year having my goal with this great team and heading to the Super Bowl now, it’s a dream come true,” Williams said. “All my buddies in high school were calling me like, ‘Dude, I remember when we used to sit up and talk late at nights. We all thought we were going to make it to the NFL. Man, you’re here.'”
The Chiefs will take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. EST at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. The game is being broadcast by FOX.
The Super Bowl will feature two of the best quarterbacks in the league in Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes. Jason and Travis Kelce will face each other, marking the first time brothers have faced one another in the Super Bowl as players. The Super Bowl will also pit Chiefs head coach Andy Reid against his former team.
The Eagles and Chiefs were two of the top three offenses in the league in 2022. Williams marvels at Mahomes.
“It was a fun time chasing after him, but watching him do what he does on the sideline is a lot better,” Williams said. “… I used to think that no-look pass was lucky backyard football. But stuff like that happens every day in practice. That stuff is original. That’s awesome.”
For more from Williams, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Kansas City Chiefs