Chiefs RB Damien Williams Opts Out Of 2020 Season

The Kansas City Chiefs announced Wednesday that veteran RB Damien Williams has opted out of the 2020 season. 

Here’s a statement from Chiefs GM Brett Veach regarding Williams’ decision:

“Damien Williams informed the club of his decision to opt out of the 2020 season.

“As an organization, we certainly understand and respect Damien’s choice, knowing it was made in the best interest of his family. He means a lot to our football team as a player and a person, and we’re going to miss having him around this season.”

This opens the door for first-round RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire to see plenty of action in 2020. The Chiefs also have Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson at running back. 

Williams, 27, originally signed on with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma back in 2014. He finished out the final year of a three-year, $1,535,000 rookie contract before the Dolphins used an original-round restricted tender on him worth $1.797 million for the 2017 season.

The Chiefs signed Williams to a one-year, $1.5 million contract in 2018. He was set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2019 before signing a two-year, $8.1 million extension.

Kansas City picked up Williams’ 2020 option back in March. 

In 2019, Williams appeared in 11 games for the Chiefs and rushed for 498 yards on 111 carries (4.5 YPC) and five touchdowns to go along with 30 receptions for 213 yards receiving and two more touchdowns.