Former Pirate hopes to continue his rise in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Wide receiver Justin Watson had to have his finger size measured for Super Bowl rings three times: once in Tampa Bay and twice in Kansas City.

Despite his personal and team successes, Watson knows that nothing he has done in the past means anything in the present.

“I think I really like the Hank Aaron quote,” Watson said. “Yesterday’s home runs won’t win today’s games.” This is how you should always attack the season. Nobody cares that you won the Super Bowl last year. The only thing you earn is that you get a better chance.”

Watson played for the Buccaneers from 2018 to 2021. He earned limited playing time behind players like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. But he did enough to catch the attention of the Chiefs, who signed him ahead of the 2022 season.

He joins another high-powered offense led by two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes.

“At first you’re just trying to figure out the plays on the sheet. Then the line is drawn on the sheet like this,” explained Watson. “But what do you have in the way that you can work with? Now in my third year, it’s about being on the same page as Pat.”

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Watson’s road has had its fair share of bumps. At one point, he was so eager to stay on the roster that he attended defensive meetings with the Bucs.

“It was funny because he was actually in the security room for weeks before he went to KC—it’s crazy. I don’t know if anyone knew about it,” Bucs safety Antoine Winfield Jr. recalled. “It’s crazy to see how this opportunity got squandered. Now he’s starting at KC and doing a great job there, so that’s really cool to see.”

At the ripe old age of 28, Watson is taking on a veteran role as a leader in the Chiefs locker room.

“It’s great to know what the coaches want, to know what Pat wants, and to be able to give these guys some ideas so they don’t have to learn the hard way,” Watson added. “It was fun to come in as the new guy and then three years later be the old guy in the room. And a guy with a little more gray hair here and there.”

“Three-time Super Bowl Champion” may not be the title you’d expect in front of Watson’s name, but he’s excited to continue his journey to the NFL.

“It feels like I’m a child again. I’m just going there,” he said with a smile. “I can’t believe I can still put on a helmet and call it work.”