"Once he makes the 53," Arians said. "Got to make the 53 first."

Williams, who played running back until his senior year of college, brushed off the idea the two were competing. Both are just doing their jobs, Williams said.

"Knowing you got yourself mentally and physically ready for that battle, you have no reason to doubt yourself," Williams added. "I know I did more than enough to be ready for camp and preseason."

Bethel is confident himself, buoyed by his healthy foot. Frustrated he couldn't practice all last offseason – and not himself in camp – even his special teams play wasn't what it normally was last year. Bethel knows the cornerback job had been his to lose, making the injury that much more difficult.

"It definitely sucked," he said.

Even dating back to a couple of missed plays in the Green Bay playoff game after the 2015 season, Bethel has always been willing to acknowledge his shortcomings. Whether it's his health, or growing comfortable with his situation, he still wears a wide smile.

If he starts, he starts. If he doesn't, he insists he'll help the team in whatever way needed. The contract is not an issue, nor is Arians' long-ago "failure-in-progress" line. The coach has praised Bethel every step of the offseason, and now comes the point where Bethel the cornerback shows up. Or not.