The Kansas City Chiefs lost a couple more free agents on Monday evening — assuming these reported contracts are signed when the new league year technically begins on Wednesday, March 12.
Earlier in the day, KC saw veteran running back Samaje Perine agree to terms with an AFC rival. Then defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton received a massive contract offer from an NFC franchise.
Just before Wharton’s deal was announced, Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson was named as a third Kansas City departure.
“Another [Houston] Texans signing,” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported on March 10. Continuing: “Houston is adding Chiefs FA WR Justin Watson, sources say, as the Penn graduate and former [Tampa Bay] Bucs WR lands in a new home.”
A recent report from NFL insider Tony Pauline claimed that the Chiefs “informed” Watson’s agent that “they do not have the money” to re-sign him in free agency. Kansas City followed up on that rumor by choosing to re-up with fellow free agent wide receiver Hollywood Brown, so the writing was on the wall for Watson.
With Tank Dell suffering a major injury in Houston, Watson should have an opportunity for some playing time behind star wideout Nico Collins and newcomer Christian Kirk. He’ll likely compete with pass-catchers like John Metchie III and Xavier Hutchinson for snaps inside the Texans offense.
Justin Watson Served an Underrated Role With Chiefs, Helping KC Win 2 Super Bowls
Watson is actually a three-time Super Bowl champ, but his first ring came with the Buccaneers. The second two were with the Chiefs, and his role in those title runs was that of an unsung hero.
Watson never lit up the stat sheet during his time in Kansas City, but he did sometimes catch big passes and score important touchdowns. He also served in a different way, occupying one of the grittier roles in the Chiefs’ system.
Head coach Andy Reid loved Watson for his ability as a run blocker and the general physicality that he brought. He finished with just over 1,000 regular season receiving yards as a member of the Chiefs (in three seasons), with 7 touchdowns and a career-best 460 receiving yards in 2023.
In the playoffs, Watson caught 9 of his 13 targets for 120 yards and 7 first downs. He suited up for a total of 9 postseason outings for Kansas City.
Chiefs Still Have Decisions to Make at Wide Receiver
The Chiefs have several wide receivers under contract, including Brown, 2023 second rounder Rashee Rice, 2024 first rounder Xavier Worthy, former second-round pick Skyy Moore, popular UDFA Justyn Ross, return specialist Nikko Remigio, former second-round talent Tyquan Thornton and recent pickup Jason Brownlee.
Their WR corps doesn’t feel complete, however, especially with DeAndre Hopkins and JuJu Smith-Schuster both still available on the open market.
With Watson leaving, it would make sense for the Chiefs to bring back one of those two. They both played a similar role in the offense, as a more physical wideout that could also run block and create pick-play opportunities for speedier playmakers.
Smith-Schuster has been a staff favorite of KC for a long time, so he could theoretically hold the edge over Hopkins — who should also command more money.
Having said that, Hopkins did seem interested in playing for a winner, not just in 2024, but for the remainder of his career. If he offers to return on the cheap, perhaps the Chiefs choose the more talented of the two veterans.
