The Kansas City Chiefs are in win-now mode and that's why, unless a trade would severely increase their chances of getting back to -- and winning -- the Super Bowl, they should remain happy with what they've got.
That being said, we're in the offseason and that means we're in the thick of "Who should each team trade" kind of articles floating around out there on the web. Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report had a tough time picking someone for the Chiefs to hypothetically trade but ended up landing on cornerback Jaylen Watson.
Davenport pointed to something Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports said as to why he thinks Watson could be expendable for K.C. Vacchiano said that the Chiefs have depth at the cornerback spot, which is why Watson could be someone worth putting on the trade block but one of those names listed was Kristian Fulton, who, if we're being entirely honest, has struggled to stay healthy during his pro career.
Watson missed over half of the 2024 regular season due to injury but prior to that, he had appeared in double-digit games for Kansas City so it's hopefully not a lingering issue for him.
Chiefs should not trade Jaylen Watson unless they absolutely have to
While I get the idea here, Watson is too valuable to Steve Spagnuolo and the Chiefs defense to even consider putting the guy on the trade block. Behind Watson on the depth chart are rookie Nohl Williams and Nazeeh Johnson and while there's excitement around what Williams could provide, he has yet to take an NFL snap.
Watson has been a massive piece for the Chiefs since they hit a home run by drafting him in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Finding any sort of talent that can stick on a roster in the seventh round is hard but finding one that's worthy of being a starter is a very difficult task and the Chiefs have managed to do so with Watson.
The hope is that Watson continues to play well and if he ends up being too expensive for the Chiefs to re-sign next spring, so be it. That would mean his play would be deserving of a big contract, which means the Chiefs benefitted from it this year.
Unless the Chiefs can find a proven baller at a key position like left tackle by trading him, Jaylen Watson needs to stay put.