6 Chiefs Playing Their Way Out of Kansas City's 2025 Plans

Even though the Kansas City Chiefs are 7-0 to begin the season, not everyone is playing perfectly. Here are six players who might not return for the 2025 campaign.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

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2. Justin Watson, WR

The 2023 season was a career performance for Justin Watson as he played his second straight year with the Chiefs. The former 2018 fifth-rounder tallied new personal bests in receptions (27), receiving yards (460), and touchdowns (3) en route to winning the third Super Bowl ring of his career.

With Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown both missing significant time this season, optimistic Chiefs fans hoped to see an encore from Watson. Instead, he's left the fanbase with much to be desired more often than not.

Through his first seven games, Watson has only hauled in 10 catches for 128 yards without a touchdown. He's averaging fewer receiving yards per game (18.3) and yards per reception (12.8) than he did last year (28.8 and 17.0, respectively), which might indicate that his 2023 appearance was an exception rather than the rule.

What's even more frustrating is that it isn't as if Watson lacks opportunities. He's played at least 51 offensive snaps in each of his last three games, after all. It's just that he's failed to make the most of every chance he gets, resulting in PFF's receiving 53.5 receiving grade — No. 109 of 117 eligible receivers.

Barring an incredible turnaround, Watson might be playing in Kansas City on limited time.

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