How Jonah Williams’ versatility can help protect Kyler Murray

TEMPE, Ariz. — To new Arizona Cardinals tackle Jonah Williams, it doesn’t matter which side of the offensive line he ends up on.

He believes he can “positively contribute” as either a left or right tackle.

“Honestly, it’s not so much about that,” Williams said after signing with the Cardinals on March 13. “It’s more like, I know what I’m bringing to this team, and it’s great tackle play, and that’s what I want to do.

“Wherever the coaches wanna put me, wherever they decide to put me, that’s what I’m gonna do. I’ve played significant snaps at both positions.”

The Cardinals signed Williams to a two-year contract worth up to $30 million on the first day of free agency, and now they have the luxury of deciding this offseason where they want to play him.

He played all 2,653 of his snaps at left tackle from 2020 to 2022 with the Cincinnati Bengals — he missed his rookie season in 2019 because of a torn labrum — but was moved to right tackle in 2023, where he played 1,047 snaps in 17 games. Arizona already has another first-round tackle on its roster in Paris Johnson Jr., who played all last season at right tackle after playing left tackle in college.

It’s not a guarantee that Williams will replace longtime left tackle D.J. Humphries, a source told ESPN. Humphries, who tore his ACL in Week 17, was released.

If Williams were to stick with right tackle, he’ll be ready. Although he was reluctant to make the switch last season, even requesting a trade after the Bengals signed four-time Pro Bowler Orlando Brown Jr., Williams eventually remained in Cincinnati where he had a career-high 84.4% pass block win rate.

“I wanted to approach that situation positively and that’s what I did, was let’s just do the best that I can wherever I am,” Williams said. “And that was at right tackle last year. And I think it worked out well for me. I enjoy playing right tackle and I think I had a good year.

“And I think that versatility is nothing but positives for me, in my career and what I can bring to the team.”

Wherever the Cardinals end up putting Williams, he said he’s “excited” to book end the offensive line with Johnson. And together they’ll be charged with protecting quarterback Kyler Murray.

Johnson learned what blocking for Murray is like during last season’s final eight games when Murray returned from ACL injury. Williams hasn’t blocked for a dual-threat quarterback in the NFL after spending the last four seasons blocking for Joe Burrow. However, he blocked for Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa in college at Alabama.

Williams said he’s been watching Murray since the quarterback starred at Allen High School outside of Dallas where he won three state championships. The two met last week at the Cardinals’ facility when Williams came to sign his contract and Murray was working out.

“I think it’s gonna be exciting,” Williams said. “He’s an electric playmaker and there’s only so many guys like that in the NFL, and so it’s exciting to be at a team that has one of them.”

Williams said there were other teams vying for him in free agency, but he had the Cardinals atop his list of preferred destinations. He could sense that there was a “positive energy” around the team and felt the Cardinals, as an organization, were on an “upward trajectory.” He recognized both aspects after experiencing them in Cincinnati.

While the Bengals played in Arizona last season, Williams started taking mental notes of how much he liked State Farm Stadium and the fan base, which he described as loud. That, coupled with the Phoenix area and its close proximity to his forever home in San Diego, made Arizona his ideal destination.

“I was like, if the opportunity ever arises, I’d love to be out here, and I was very fortunate the opportunity did arise,” Williams said. “I’m really excited to be here.”