The Los Angeles Rams have a thing for Kansas City Chiefs cornerbacks. Not only did they recently trade for Trent McDuffie in a blockbuster deal the week before free agency was scheduled to begin, but they landed the team's next-best DB by signing Jaylen Watson to a reported three-year deal within the first hour of the legal tampering period.
ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news of the signing that keeps Watson and McDuffie together through the 2028 season. McDuffie also recently reached agreement on a long-term contract extension that will pay him more than $30 million annually.
Watson first joined the Chiefs as the first of three seventh-round picks (243rd overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Washington State, a selection that looked like a depth move at the time and turned into one of the best late-round finds of that draft class. He was joined by Nazeeh Johnson and Isiah Pacheco as a trio of unexpected contributors that helped propel the Chiefs to dynasty status.
Watson announced himself to the NFL in the most dramatic way possible by returning an interception 99 yards for a touchdown in just his second professional game, a Week 2 showdown against the Chargers. It was a scintillating Arrowhead debut for Watson, and a signal of the ascent to full-time starter status to come.
The Rams have acquired the Chiefs top two cornerbacks to kick off their offseason.
When the Chiefs traded away L'Jarius Sneed in 2024, Watson's physical presence became even more important for the Chiefs' defense. Together with McDuffie and company, Watson became an anchor in the secondary toward a three-peat attempt. Now the Chiefs will hope someone else can step up in the same way as Watson is the departing star.
In 2025, Watson started 15 games for the Chiefs and recorded 2 interceptions, 6 pass deflections, 2 sacks, and 64 combined tackles. A groin injury prematurely ended his season and placed him on injured reserve in late December, part of a wave of misery toward the year's end that felt fitting in a year in which K.C. finished with a losing record at 6-11 overall.
As part of the celebrated 2022 draft class that provided the defensive backbone of Kansas City's dynasty run, Watson will always be appreciated by Chiefs Kingdom. He remains one of the brightest gems in Brett Veach's crowd, a player who provided far more return than the initial investment made, which is why it's nice to see him earn the payday he's deserved.