Chiefs HC Andy Reid
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The staff of Chiefs HC Andy Reid continues to change this offseason.
The Kansas City Chiefs found a solid cornerback in Jaylen Watson, but his strong season in 2025 may have priced him out of returning to the team on a new contract.
Watson started 15 games for the Chiefs, notching two sacks and two interceptions along with a career-high 64 total tackles. He is set to hit free agency after the conclusion of his rookie contract, and one insider believes his price could be too high for a return to Kansas City.
The Athletic’s Jesse Newell reported on March 2 that Watson is headed to a big contract in free agency, one that would be too high for the cap-strapped Chiefs to match.
“Cornerback Jaylen Watson is likely to command the highest dollar amount and, because of that, seems least likely to return,” Newell reported. “But one advantage the Chiefs often get with their own players in free agency is the ability to match other teams’ offers — especially if those guys enjoyed their time in K.C. and would prefer a return rather than uprooting themselves and their families.”
Newell predicted that the Chiefs are in danger of losing some of their other free agents if their price grows too high.
“There’s also the question of how the market will value certain free agents,” Newell reported. “Safety Bryan Cook is coming off a career year, but there also appears to be quite a bit of safety depth in the draft. Linebacker Leo Chenal’s value also is a mystery, as some 3-4 defenses might see him capable of a bigger role than he has in K.C.”
Newell added that the Chiefs are not likely to be aggressive in keeping their own players, instead picking their spots and getting the right price where they can.
“In any case, the Chiefs are likely to do less targeting of their own free agents this year and more monitoring to see whether a reunion might make sense at the right price,” he reported.