Cardinals Turn to Kalen King Over Garrett Williams
Arizona used King over Williams at nickel in Seattle, with Williams playing just one defensive snap in the 2026 game against the Seahawks.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Football
The Arizona Cardinals played at Seattle on Sunday and used Kalen King over Garrett Williams in the nickel role, with King logging 28 defensive snaps and Williams playing one. Williams is a possible trade candidate, according to reports cited in the extraction.
Why it matters
Williams is in the last year of his rookie contract, and his limited role against Seattle raises questions about his future with the team. The move also reflects the Cardinals' broader defensive snap management as the season progresses.
Kalen King logged 28 defensive snaps against Seattle while Garrett Williams played one, down from eight snaps in a prior win over Dallas. Williams's trade status remains speculative and unconfirmed in the reporting.
The players
Garrett Williams
Cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals who returned from an Achilles injury and is in the final year of his rookie contract.
Kalen King
Cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals who received the bulk of the nickel snaps against Seattle.
The details
Williams returned from an Achilles injury, and the Cardinals opted for King in nickel. Denzel Burke returned to the starting lineup after two games in which Kei'Trel Clark had started, and Clark's snap percentage dropped to 37.
Timeline
Sunday: Cardinals played at Seattle and Williams logged one defensive snap.
Season Trajectory
Arizona's shifting nickel rotation, including Garrett Williams's reduced role, is a recurring theme in the team's defensive back usage this season. The decision affects how the Cardinals balance young depth against veteran options as the schedule advances.
Fantasy managers relying on Garrett Williams should expect minimal defensive snaps while King holds the nickel role. The trade speculation, if it materializes, would change the depth chart for Arizona's secondary.
The takeaway
Snap counts often reveal roster direction before official moves do, and Arizona's nickel usage is worth tracking as the season continues.
Further reading
Explore more in Football coverage of NFL defensive rotations and roster moves.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Azcardinals.
