It was a big blow to the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense when wide receiver Tyquan Thornton dislocated his ankle against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4. He could recover in time for the postseason, but the team still has 13 regular-season games to play well against a much tougher slate of opponents.
So it shouldn’t be surprising if the team looks for a way to replace Thornton’s downfield role in the offense. Before Thornton was plugged into the offense in 2025, wide receiver Justin Watson manned an impactful
spot in Kansas City as a deep-ball threat.
It sounds like the Chiefs may be interested in turning back the clock to Thornton’s predecessor.
According to good friend Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star, the Chiefs are “among several teams” interested in signing Watson, who is currently a free agent after the Houston Texans released him this preseason. In 2025, Watson signed with Houston as a free agent after Thornton impressed on the Chiefs’ practice squad through the end of the 2024 season.
He appeared in only two games for the Texans last season before going to the Reserve/Injured list with a calf injury; he returned for the Texans’ regular-season finale and played on special teams in the playoffs.
In Kansas City, Watson caught 64 passes for 1,064 yards and seven touchdowns; 56 of his 64 completions resulted in a first down or touchdown.
Over his last two seasons with the Chiefs, Watson accumulated 694 yards and three touchdowns on 35 catches on passes thrown 10 or more yards downfield, according to Pro Football Focus.
Watson may not be the only reunion in Kansas City’s receiving corps, but he may provide the field-stretching dynamic Thornton built his role on. Watson has limits that were evident once Thornton stepped into a similar position and excelled further, but the familiarity with the offense — along with the downfield chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes — could be enticing for a midseason addition.
