TEMPE – The Arizona Cardinals made some major upgrades to the roster this offseason, and third-year cornerback Garrett Williams sees big things ahead for the 2025 season. Williams talked to the media at the team’s Tempe training center, where he discussed about his own personal growth as a player and the outlook of the team next season. The 24-year-old is one of the most underrated defensive backs in the NFL, having the highest Pro Football Focus coverage grade of any cornerback.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Williams is used to being underrated, noting he’s felt like that since high school and will continue to play his game. However, he continued about how the whole team and Arizona as a whole is overlooked and sees next year as a “coming out party” for the franchise.
Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams (21) celebrates an interception against the Washington Commanders in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
“If you think about the whole underrated thing I feel that is one of the things that gets tagged here on Arizona,” Williams said. “We have a lot of really, really good players here, who showed it last year, and seeing from OTAs and seeing how guys are working out this offseason, I feel like this season is just going to continue to be another coming out party.
“Not just the secondary, but the Cardinals in general. This is going to be a big year to take that step into the national spotlight and guys starting to pay attention to us.”
Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams (21) against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Cardinals Williams full press conference:
Arizona’s secondary is filled with young defensive backs, including Williams. The former 2023 third-round pick is already become one of the premier players in the Cardinals secondary. Williams has grown into a elite defensive back in defensive coordinator Nick Rallis’ scheme. Entering his third season with the franchise, Williams sees the connectivity between his fellow young teammates in Rallis scheme as a positive for the players to take the next step in 2025.
Oct 27, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams (21) celebrates the win against the Miami Dolphins with fans at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Much of the noise surrounding Arizona’s offseason was the additions to the front seven, including edge Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Calais Campbell. While the veterans dominate the trenches, the young gunners in the secondary are ready to be ball hawks against opposing quarterbacks. Williams sees the potential of this core achieving that next year, and throwing away that “underrated” tag once and for all.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
