Kansas City Chiefs: Should Fans Start To Worry About Sammy Watkins
The Kansas City Chiefs put on an offensive show against the Los Angeles Chargers On Sunday. However, Sammy Watkins is yet to be a major target.
The Kansas City Chiefs dominated the Los Angeles Chargers defense on Sunday afternoon as quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw the ball for 256 yards and four touchdowns. His connection with wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been evident in the preseason, and now in Week 1 of the regular season. What about his connection with the newly acquired Sammy Watkins?
During the free agency frenzy this offseason, GM Brett Veach made a bold move by signing former Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins to a lucrative deal. The contract would make Watkins average per year $16 million. Unfortunately, we haven’t gotten to see Watkins light things up like we had hoped.
It’s evident that Veach paid Sammy Watkins for his potential, and not what he’s already done in the NFL. Both of Watkins’ former teams kept him lined up at one position, and now he’s coming into Kansas City learning every position. Being able to move around the offense is something that Sammy is still learning. Not to mention the complex offense of head coach Andy Reid.
It will take some time before Watkins is fully ready to contribute and take on the entire offense. Another thing to note is that he’s had a different offensive coordinator every season of his career. Learning the offense isn’t what has fans concerned, however.
During the preseason, Watkins had multiple plays that were frustrating for fans as they watch this new player get a massive contract. Between dropping passes, not going up for the ball, or slowing down on a route, fans are wondering what they really have in Watkins. We saw again on Sunday when Watkins dropped his pass over the middle hitting his hands in stride.
It’s evident that Tyreek Hill and Patrick Mahomes already have a strong connection. Given the performance Hill had on Sunday with seven catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns to go along with his punt return for a touchdown, no one is questioning that relationship. However, some are questioning the one between Watkins and Mahomes.
During the preseason, Mahomes would try and force passes like the one that got picked off in Atlanta in order to get Watkins involved in the offense. Watkins came away in the Week 1 game being targeted five times, catching three for 21 yards. Not exactly the stat line you want to see from a guy who just got a large contract.
On the other hand, what does Watkins provide the entire offense? Given his abilities to be an all over the field threat with usually sure hands, Watkins forces defenses to watch him. He’s still a major threat that defenses have to game plan for. In turn, this allows more one on one matchups for players like Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce.
The Connection Between Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill Is Real. dark. Next
It’s unclear when Sammy Watkins will start to prove himself in Kansas City. It’s also evident that Andy Reid’s offensive game plan was around Tyreek Hill exploiting the Chargers weaknesses. Even Travis Kelce only caught one pass against Los Angeles. As the season rolls along, I’m sure there will be game plans revolved around Watkins. It’s not time to panic as Watkins is still learning the offense and allowing better matchups for other weapons.