Jaylen Watson, Los Angeles Rams
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Jaylen Watson #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2026 offseason with a clear need on their roster that they could address with, not just a proven contributor, but a Super Bowl champion, and the solution might be in free agency rather than a trade.
Among the many intriguing pending free agency options, Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson stands out.
He could also fit what the Rams want, fitting the mold of a trusted outgoing veteran contributor.
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GettyJaylen Watson #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Rams have several cornerbacks hitting free agency this offseason, and one of their few returning players is past his prime, which could make Watson attractive to LA in free agency.
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz compelled the Rams to make the move.
“The Rams are going to have some changes in the secondary next season. Cornerbacks Cobie Durant and Ahkello Witherspoon are free agents, as is nickelback Roger McCreary, who barely played after he was picked up from Tennessee at midseason. Darious Williams is still on the roster but could use a change of scenery,” ESPN’s Aaron Schatz wrote on February 27.
“Watson is a talented corner with the size (6-2, 197 pounds) to press and the awareness to play zone coverage. He had a phenomenal coverage DVOA in six games in 2024, then was above average (40th out of 98 qualifying) in a full season in 2025.”
Watson is coming off a four-year, $3.7 million contract with the Chiefs, where he won two Super Bowls. He finished 2025 with a career-high 41 total tackles and 2.0 sacks in 15 starts.
Watson has earned $6 million in his career and is due for a raise.
Rams Set Up Well Financially
Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson.
GettyJaylen Watson #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before playing the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.
Spotrac projected Watson’s market value at $12.5 million annually. The outlet offered a three-year, $37.4 million contract as an example of what he could get in free agency. Over The Cap projects the Rams have $41.7 million in space, the eighth-most in the league.
There is only one team with more cap space that also resides in the NFC that made the playoffs in 2025. That is the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
The Rams notably played the Seahawks closer than any other team en route to the Super Bowl.
Shoring up their defense on the back end, to better align with a toothsome pass rush, could be the final step in the Rams going from contender back to Super Bowl champions. There is more work to be done, though.
Rams Must Address Multiple Spots in Secondary
Emmanuel Forbes
GettyEmmanuel Forbes Jr. #1 of the Los Angeles Rams during a game against the Houston Texans.
As Schatz noted, the Rams have multiple corners heading into free agency, which could lead them to an option like Watson. They still have Emmanuel Forbes, a first-round pick of the Washington Commanders in 2023. But they also must decide on his now $12.6 million fifth-year option.
Safety Kam Curl is heading to free agency. Nickelback Quentin Lake could be asked to play back alongside Kamren Kinchens more frequently.
That would leave voids at the nickelback and perimeter corner spots for the Rams.
Even if the Rams pursued and secured Watson in free agency, they would still be positioned to double–and possibly even triple–down on that decision. Some mocks have projected them to take two corners in the first round alone.
Adding a proven veteran such as Watson in free agency would alleviate the need to do something drastic like that. That would allow them to focus their remaining resources elsewhere.