One of the heroes of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 28-18 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7 was rookie cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace.
In the third quarter, the 49ers were driving. Down 14-12, they had a good chance to take the lead. But deep in Kansas City territory, Roland-Wallace snagged an errant throw from San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy — and then tapped his toes perfectly just in bounds. It was exactly what you’d expect to see from a veteran wideout.
After Friday’s practice, Roland-Wallace spoke about what he saw before making the catch.
“[It was] just miscommunication,” the USC product told reporters, “and then I just capitalized on that — and came down with the ball.”
Naturally, Roland-Wallace kept it as a souvenir.
“Just for memories or whatnot,” he said. “My first I-N-T.”
The 49ers’ next drive would also end with an interception — this one by rookie safety Jaden Hicks in the end zone. The two first-year pros had kept what might have 14 San Francisco points off the board — and the Chiefs rose to the moment by scoring 14 points from the turnovers.
“It meant a lot,” Roland-Wallace said of the two rookie defenders getting their first interceptions in the same game. “You know, as kids, we dream of moments like this. So for it to come true was great.”
Roland-Wallace was happy to hear from prior teammates and coaches this week — but made sure to credit defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for helping him succeed as a pro.
“I’m thankful for them, the staff, Spags, the vets here that helped Jaden and I — just this whole organization.”
Roland-Wallace also praised defensive backs coach Dave Merritt.
“He’s taught us a lot,” said the rookie, “so I just try to soak up everything that he leaves out for us.”
Roland-Wallace signed with Kansas City as an undrafted free agent after April’s NFL Draft. The Chiefs’ recent track record with young defensive backs helped drive his decision.
“I just knew that I had an opportunity,” he recalled of the moment, “and they were interested. I just came in and just controlled what I could.”
After training camp, that unexpectedly led to a place on the team’s initial active roster. But Roland-Wallace now realizes that was merely the first step.
“I was excited — and my family was,” he recalled of making the team, “but there’s still a lot of work to put forward.”
Part of that has been working as a nickel cornerback — something he did at both Arizona and USC.
“I kind of moved around a little bit in college,” said Roland-Wallace, “so I got some reps and stuff there. So it wasn’t, like, brand new.”
Unfortunately, there was a price to be paid for Sunday’s win: starting outside cornerback Jaylen Watson suffered a fractured ankle that could end his season. Roland-Wallace expects all of the defensive backs to step up.
“I feel like everyone in the room is locked in and preparing as if they’re going to play,” he declared. “So when the opportunity comes, it’s not a surprise.”
