After coming up short in the NFL playoffs for the first time in three seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs will be going into the 2025 season with a relatively unfamiliar wide receiver group.
Sure, certain pass catches like Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown will be returning to the Chiefs. But, with cap space tight, Kansas City had to make a few tough calls and elected not to bring back a few other receivers.
Mecole Hardman and DeAndre Hopkins were likely the two biggest names to leave for other teams in the Chiefs' wide receiver group, with Hardman joining the Green Bay Packers and Hopkins signing with the Baltimore Ravens.
The third wide receiver to take his talents to a different team is Justin Watson.
After playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for four years, Watson signed with the Chiefs in 2022. In three seasons with Kansas City, Watson tallied 64 catches for 1,064 yards and seven touchdowns. With the Chiefs dealing with injuries throughout 2024, Watson was one of the more reliable receivers, playing in all 17 games.
Now, Watson will be joining his third NFL team, signing a two-year, $5 million contract with the Houston Texans. The Chiefs said their farewells to the wide receiver with a message on social media.
"Always gave us a spark when we needed it most," the Chiefs wrote on X. "Thank you @jwat05."
With tight end Travis Kelce returning for his 13th season, if the Chiefs can stay healthy, they should still have a solid pass-catching group in 2025.
