KC Chiefs 2021 free agency preview: Sammy Watkins is a toss-up

Sammy Watkins has been an evident weapon in the postseason for the K.C. Chiefs. Nonetheless, injuries have plagued his three years with the team, not having played a single full season.

After the 2019-20 season came to a close with Kansas City being Super Bowl champions, Watkins’ future was in question. He was heading into his final season on a three-year, $48-million contract with the Chiefs, and the team’s salary cap situation was showcasing that there was no way he would be able to remain on that deal. In the offseason, Watkins agreed to a restructured one-year, $9 million contract, to be able to compete for another championship with K.C. His 2020-21 season was injury-filled, causing him to miss six regular season games and two postseason games prior to the Super Bowl.

Still, Watkins has had some spectacular moments with Kansas City. In Week 1  of the 2019-20 NFL season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Watkins tallied 198 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns on 9 receptions. This performance alone accounted for almost one-third of his season-total receiving yards. In the 2019-20 playoffs, Watkins accumulated 288 receiving yards and 1 touchdown on 14 receptions, through three games. His amazing three-game stretch was a key factor in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run.

Sammy Watkins is a toss-up when it comes to re-signing for the Chiefs.

During his time with Kansas City, Watkins has collected 129 receptions for 1,613 yards and 8 touchdowns. Along with that, in only six playoff-games he has had 25 receptions for 477 yards and 1 touchdown. It may seem easy for some to dismiss Watkins because of his injuries, but he does add another dynamic to the offense that could keep him on the team with the right contract.

The case for coming back

The Chiefs have been on record as saying that they enjoy having Watkins on the team, with Brett Veach stating, “Sammy is a big part of this offense and when he’s healthy, we’re better… If there’s a way we can make it work again, we’ll certainly try to do that. Love having him around”

With Demarcus Robinson unlikely to return next season, Watkins could end up getting re-signed as the veteran of the receiving core. He has proved to be a leader with a team-first mentality and if there really is mutual-interest between both parties to get a deal worked out, then Watkins could end up having a spot on the roster.

The case for letting go

It is obvious that K.C. loves what Watkins can bring to the table when healthy… but his health is the key. With constant injuries, it is hard to believe that Veach will bring him back with a similar salary. Watkins would most likely have to take a severe pay-cut, possibly half of what he made in the 2020-21 season.

Even with a lesser salary, there would still be the risk of Watkins missing several games, when the Chiefs could use that money to sign a similar, less injury-prone receiver. Without Watkins, Kansas City would still have a solid receiving core; with Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, and Byron Pringle (potentially). They would then have the opportunity to sign another wide receiver in free agency. Watkins has been a substantial addition to K.C., but if he isn’t willing to take considerably less money then it is hard to believe that a deal will get done.

The likelihood of return: 35%

The Chiefs may have some interest in re-signing Watkins, but the chance of a deal being worked out is slim. His $9 million salary from last season no longer matches what he adds to the team and I don’t see him taking another major pay-cut. However, if the Chiefs really wanted to keep their receiving group intact, then they would most likely re-sign Watkins over Robinson.

While it is more than likely that he will be suited up in a different uniform next year, there is still a slight chance that he ends back up in K.C.