Stars seem aligned for Sammy Watkins return to Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have a major decision ahead of them this offseason regarding Sammy Watkins, but the stars might be aligning for a return.

On paper, the Kansas City Chiefs boast the NFL’s best trio of pass catchers. Between tight end Travis Kelce and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins, defenses all around the league have a near-impossible time trying to keep up with the playmakers at Patrick Mahomes‘ disposal. However, the belief was that after the 2020 season, the trio might have to break up for financial reasons.

For the time being, the Chiefs are paying Sammy Watkins more than any other wide receiver in the game (largest single cap hit among WRs in the NFL in both 2019 and 2020, at this point). This works when Tyreek Hill is still on his rookie deal and Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been extended, but going forward, it seems cost-prohibitive to pay Watkins $20 million as a luxury third option, no matter how good he is when defenses key in too much on the other two.

A common assumption among fans predicting the team’s future has been that the Chiefs would either release Watkins or attempt to trade him given that Hill is slated to see his price tag jump considerably next season and beyond ($17M+ cap hit in 2020) while Kelce remains among the most highly-paid tight ends in the NFL. However, in a recent interview, Watkins hedged that such assumptions might not be the case.

"“I don’t want to say I will be (open to a pay cut). I don’t want to say I won’t,” he said. “I just think I’m a special player. I think I deserve all the things I deserve. If I’m at home and thinking about it, if I have to do it to pay Pat, I maybe will. That’s a guy that we should pay, and he needs to get paid. But you never know, that’s a decision I’d have to go through.”"

This is very good news for the Chiefs, because if there’s any way forward in which Watkins can remain a part of this roster, it would be the best approach. Watkins has showed his value in the postseason once again when defenses key in and mismatches are minimized by the heightened performances and opposing game plans. Even against the best, the Chiefs offense, with Watkins, still has enough playmakers to make them pay.

If Watkins is aware of his price and how disproportional it is, he might be more amenable to changes in that pay structure. Even more, Watkins spoke like a man who really wants to stay in Kansas City for his ability to play for Andy Reid and compete for championships.

"“(Joining the Chiefs) was the best decision of my life,” Watkins told NFL.com Thursday. “My first year we go to the third round, a game away from the Super Bowl, and then to get back here again, that’s special. I don’t see a lot of people doing that as far as organizations as a whole. I think that shows what this team is about.”"

When the dust settles on the Super Bowl, or when Watkins gets back with his agent or representation, it’s entirely possible that the attitude changes here somewhat. Most players, after all, aren’t too excited about the idea of not being given the money they signed for. That said, if the Chiefs have earned enough favor in Watkins eyes, if he likes playing for the team that much, then perhaps it’s not so much of a stretch to give him a realistic and offer him a way forward together.

Watkins has 52 catches for 673 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns on the year.