Jayden Williams not overthinking things ahead of 1st career NFL start

TEMPE — By all accounts, Arizona Cardinals rookie offensive lineman Jayden Williams has handled his transition to the NFL well.

Carving out a role as an extra blocker on Arizona’s heavy packages, the seventh-rounder out of Ole Miss has made the most of his chances to get on the field.

He’s been applauded for meeting every challenge the team has thrown at him. His biggest one, however, awaits him this week as Arizona’s starting left tackle in place of franchise cornerstone Paris Johnson Jr.

For Williams, it’s all about not overthinking it. After all, he’s been playing the game since the sixth grade.

Cardinals rookie Jayden Williams isn’t trying to overthink things ahead of his first start at left tackle for the franchise ⬇️ https://t.co/4n12uFA6W3

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) October 8, 2026

“It’s all just football at the end of the day,” Williams said Wednesday. “Even from (former college head coach) Lane Kiffin, it’s always about you no matter what it is, no matter what the situation is about. You go out there and you control what you can control. All I can do is go out there and play football every week.”

That’s not to say the opportunity hasn’t taken a little longer to sink in. Williams admitted he was a little nervous on Tuesday before remembering his routine that got him to this point and knowing there’s a full week of prep in front of him.

That mentality is going to be huge for Williams this week as he takes a big step in his professional career against a Detroit Lions defense that is allowing a lot of yards and points to opposing offenses, but is armed with a formidable pass rush led by Aidan Hutchinson.

Hutchinson enters the week of play second in the league in total pressures with 28, and tied for sixth in sacks with 3.5.

Knowing a rookie is getting the start, Hutchinson is bound to line up opposite Williams during Sunday’s game.

And if he isn’t, Detroit has other pass-rushing options in Alim McNeill and D.J. Wonnum. They’ve combined for six sacks and 27 pressures.

No matter the opponent, Williams is just ready to make more of an impact for the offense.

“I was going out there in the 13 (personnel) big packages and stuff like that,” he said. “But it’s like now, I get more reps to go out there and play and truly try to help the team win.”

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