Spagnuolo Opens Up About Kristian Fulton’s Mysterious Chiefs Role — and What Comes Next
Spagnuolo Opens Up About Kristian Fulton’s Mysterious Chiefs Role — and What Comes Next
When the Kansas City Chiefs handed Kristian Fulton a two-year, $20 million deal last spring, the plan was clear: pair him with Jaylen Watson on the outside and shift Trent McDuffie into the slot to anchor one of the NFL’s toughest secondaries. But seven weeks into the season, that vision hasn’t materialized. Fulton has played just 17 defensive snaps over two games and was a healthy scratch for the last two weeks, a stunning fall for one of Kansas City’s marquee offseason additions.
Speaking with reporters on Friday, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo called the situation “a tough one for Kristian.” He noted that the veteran corner has been working back from a lingering ankle injury but has lost valuable practice reps in the process. “He’s getting healthier,” Spagnuolo said, “but it’s hard to make up those missed reps when the other guys are playing well. Nohl [Williams] has done a great job.”
Indeed, rookie cornerback Nohl Williams, signed late last April, has seized the opportunity left by Fulton’s absence. Williams has been a consistent performer across multiple coverages and now sits firmly in the rotation alongside Watson and McDuffie. His emergence has effectively pushed Fulton to the outside looking in — an unexpected twist for a player once projected as a Day 1 starter.
Despite the demotion, Spagnuolo emphasized that Fulton remains part of the team’s long-term defensive plan. “We’ll need all our corners at some point,” he said. He doesn’t yell. He doesn’t preach. Just one gentle sentence, every week — the same sentence. It sounds harmless… until you realize what he’s really saying. “I tell Kristian every week: Be ready.” According to team sources, Fulton has stayed engaged, attending every meeting and putting in extra conditioning work to stay sharp for when his name is called.
Fulton’s ankle issue sidelined him early in the season, but he’s now back to full participation in practice. The challenge, Spagnuolo hinted, isn’t health—it’s rhythm. With a stacked cornerback room and a defense playing at a high level, there’s simply been no space for Fulton to reclaim his spot. Still, coaches value his experience and see him as critical depth for a long season.
As the Chiefs prepare for Monday night’s matchup with the Washington Commanders, Fulton’s role remains uncertain. Spagnuolo wouldn’t commit to his playing time but left the door open: “We’ll see how it plays out.” For now, Kansas City benefits from Williams’ breakout while Fulton bides his time—healthy, motivated, and waiting for his chance to prove his $20 million signing was no mistake.
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Foxborough, Massachusetts. Today.
Just hours before the crucial showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals, the New England Patriots suddenly became the center of attention in the NFL when superstar Antonio Gibson – currently on IR after an ACL injury – expressed his desire to take a pay cut to help the team sign additional quality free agents. With the current running back group performing inconsistently, the Patriots are considering adding reinforcements to surge forward in this critical phase of the season.
Gibson, despite being unable to play for the rest of the season, still demonstrated a rare spirit of dedication by proactively proposing to sacrifice his own personal benefits. This move sent shockwaves through the locker room and left the entire Patriots Nation deeply moved by his heart. Internal sources say Gibson has been closely following the team’s progress and always wants to contribute, even though he cannot be on the field.
In an emotional statement, Gibson explained the reason behind this special offer: “I may not be able to stand on the field with my brothers right now, but my heart is out there every single snap. If my sacrifice can make the team stronger, bring us closer to where the Patriots belong, I’m willing to do anything. I just want to see this team break through and make the fans proud.”
But what happened next is what truly left the entire Patriots Nation speechless. The Patriots leadership immediately rejected Gibson’s offer to reduce his salary. Not because they don’t need the cap space, but because they wanted to honor his spirit and his value. They believe Gibson has already given too much to have to give up anything more, and the only thing the team wants right now is for him to recover as strongly as possible.
In an internal announcement, the team sent a message of deep appreciation: they highly value Gibson’s noble heart but cannot accept the offer. Instead, the Patriots encouraged him to focus entirely on treatment and return to Foxborough in the best possible condition soon. This decision instantly spread throughout the fan community – a reminder that in New England, the family spirit remains the strongest and most enduring foundation of all.
