Chiefs restructure Sammy Watkins contract, signs one-year deal

The Kansas City Chiefs have real salary cap trouble and were prepared to trade or release Sammy Watkins if they couldn’t restructure his contract, and in the end, they restructured. Watkins signed “a new one-year deal that will pay him a base of $9 million for 2020 with an incentive package that can reach $16 million,” per Terez Paylor, Yahoo Sports.

Watkins was a key player in Kansas City’s Super Bowl run, putting up 288 yards and a touchdown in the 2020 postseason, including five receptions for 98 yards in their Super Bowl win. In 2018, Watkins also had a strong game in the Chiefs narrow loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship, going for 114 yards on four receptions. His regular season numbers leave something to be desired, but there’s no doubt he ups his game in the postseason, where the Chiefs plan on visiting often with Patrick Mahomes behind center.

Watkins re-signing hurts the fantasy breakout potential of Mecole Hardman, as he will continue to battle for time as the No. 3 receiver with Demarcus Robinson. If he wins the job completely, he’ll still have Tyreek Hill, Watkins, Damien Williams and Travis Kelce to fight for targets.

Watkins’ fantasy upside just isn’t there with Kelce and Hill in the picture. Unless it’s the playoffs, he can’t seem to get things going other than as a possession receiver. Last season he blew up in Week 1 with Tyreek Hill injured, scoring three touchdowns. He ended the season with those three touchdowns.