Not many players with a career in the NFL can brag about playing next to Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, let alone having won Super Bowl rings with both of them. The Houston Texans are now pairing C.J. Stroud with a player who can take pride in doing just that, leaving Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs without an important role player.
On Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that former Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson is joining the Texans as a free agent ahead of the 2025 season.
The news came out during the first day of the legal tampering period before the official start of free agency. With Watson, the Texans are providing Stroud an experienced pass catcher who has already proved useful, especially for Mahomes.
Justin Watson’s Super Bowl ring with Tom Brady
Watson, 28, entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick out of Penn in 2018, when he got selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There, he got to play with Brady for two seasons as the legendary quarterback left the New England Patriots for the NFC South team in 2020.
Justin Watson #84 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Watson got his first ring during Brady‘s first year with the Bucs, as Tampa Bay beat the Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV. That season, the wideout made 11 appearances and caught seven passes for 94 yards. Eventually, Watson went on to celebrate more championships with Mahomes and Reid as well.
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More success with Reid and Mahomes’ Chiefs
Although a knee surgery limited his playing time and led the Bucs to cut him after the 2021 season, Watson immediately found a new home in Kansas City. A free agent signing on a one-year deal in 2022, the wide receiver became a dependable alternative in offense from the very beginning.
Watson racked up 15 catches for 315 receiving yards with two touchdowns in his first season with the Chiefs, who ended up winning Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles. The wideout caught two passes from Mahomes for 18 yards that night.
That performance saw Watson earn a two-year, $3.4 million deal in 2023, and he didn’t let Reid down. While still being a role player in the WR room, the Penn graduate continued to gain Mahomes’ trust, making 27 receptions for 460 yards with three touchdowns. He also saw action in the Super Bowl LVIII win over the San Francisco 49ers, recording three catches for 54 yards.
Last season, Watson logged 22 receptions for 289 yards with two touchdowns en route to a Super Bowl LIX appearance. Watson’s highlight of the game was a catch for a two-point conversion, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a 40-22 loss to the Eagles.
Justin Watson #84 of the Kansas City Chiefs talks with Head coach Andy Reid against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.
Texans give Stroud more depth at WR
Now a free agent again, Watson is bringing his experience to Houston. Stroud still has room to grow after only two seasons in the NFL, and the Texans‘ need for depth at wide receiver could use a player with Watson’s résumé.
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NFL News: Tua Tagovailoa, Mike McDaniel lose Dolphins weapon to CJ Stroud’s Texans for 2025
He’s not the only new face in the WR room, though. With Tank Dell injured and Stefon Diggs hitting free agency, the front office also traded for Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk before landing Miami Dolphins free agent WR Braxton Berrios.
