KC Chiefs: Three reasons why losing Sammy Watkins wouldn’t be a big deal

The KC Chiefs could find themselves losing Sammy Watkins to free agency. If he does sign elsewhere, the Chiefs shouldn’t fret. 

It was a big deal when the Kansas City Chiefs signed Sammy Watkins to a three-year contract in the 2018 offseason. The hope was that with Patrick Mahomes taking over full-time and Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce as already-established weapons, Watkins would be yet another piece to the puzzle.

While Watkins had his moments, he wasn’t worth that $48 million contract he signed almost three years to the day. If he comes back to Kansas City for less money in 2021, cool, but if he does sign elsewhere, there are three main reasons why this wouldn’t be a big deal for the Chiefs.

3. Production wasn’t great

Yes, Watkins was great in the playoffs (except for this year), but when it came to his production during the course of the regular season, he was mediocre at best. The Chiefs signed Watkins hoping he’d be one of their top weapons (if not THE top weapon) and that never came to be.

In three seasons, Watkins had 1,613 yards and eight touchdowns. His best season came in 2019 when he had 673 yards and three touchdowns, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that 198 of those yards and all three of those touchdowns came in the very first game of the season. Watkins had just 475 yards for the rest of the season and didn’t find the end zone again until the AFC Championship Game.

Watkins had his moments for sure, but when push came to shove, his production wasn’t worth what the Chiefs were paying him. That brings us to our next point.