The Kansas City Chiefs have undergone significant turnover in recent years, though wide receiver Justin Watson was one of the few constants since joining the organization in 2022.
He's since been signed by the Houston Texans, indicating his Chiefs tenure is officially over. While he was a consistent, durable contributor whom quarterback Patrick Mahomes clearly trusted, Watson's shortcomings were obvious to all fans watching.
As the franchise tries to rebuild the wide receiver room around Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, it's clear that Watson won't be missed.
My favorite Justin Watson play. Gonna miss him pic.twitter.com/YdwCnMiphT
— Keaton (@kjonesy1587) March 11, 2025
Chiefs Won't Miss WR Justin Watson After Departure
There's no denying that Watson had some special moments in a Chiefs uniform. His deep catch against the Minnesota Vikings made its rounds on highlight tapes, though the 29-year-old wideout never made the kind of impact that warranted his playing time.
Watson had 64 catches for 1,064 yards and seven TDs during his three years with the team. Those are decent numbers, though someone who garned 60% of the offensive snaps in 2024 should've made a greater impact. His physical limitations played a part, but Watson just couldn't get on the same page as Mahomes despite the three-time Super Bowl MVP's seemingly unwarranted trust.
In a perfect world, Watson would be an ideal fifth receiver. He's decent for a big play on third down, yet can't be relied upon to make the easy shorter players that help keep drives alive. His shortcomings were a perfect illustration of what hampered Kansas City at the position over the years, so hopefully now the front office will invest more heavily in building the back of that rotation.
Regardless, Watson now has an opportunity to prove his mettle in Houston, surrounded by talented receivers and an exciting quarterback in C.J. Stroud. He's a Super Bowl champion and should be remembered fondly, though the Chiefs are better off without him.