The Los Angeles Rams desperately need a cornerback this offseason, and Chiefs free agent Jaylen Watson might solve their secondary problems.
Jared Dubin of CBS Sports said the Rams should prioritize Watson this offseason, as he could “excel” under defensive coordinator Chris Shula:
“The Rams need cornerback help more than they need anything else, assuming Matthew Stafford comes back for another year and their quarterback situation remains settled. Watson proved himself a reliable rotational player early in his career with the Chiefs, but has become a starter over the last two years and could excel in Chris Shula’s defense.”
While the Chiefs had a dreadful year following three straight Super Bowl appearances, Watson was a bright spot. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion and has appeared in 53 games in his four-year career, including 29 starts. In 15 starts this season, Watson had career highs in interceptions (2), combined tackles (64) and tied a career high with 2 sacks.
According to Pro Football Reference, he allowed a 79.0 passer rating and has given up one touchdown in coverage over the last two seasons. That is a stark contrast from the first two seasons of his career when he allowed at least a 103 passer rating and nine touchdowns in coverage. Clearly, he has improved considerably since then, playing a key role in Kansas City’s secondary since 2024.
Watson will be a hot commodity in free agency this offseason and is likely to sign a rich deal with whichever team is interested. He has undoubtedly priced himself out of K.C., who probably won’t miss him much, given their recent history of replacing important pieces at CB without skipping a beat.
If Matthew Stafford does return in 2026, the Rams’ front office must do everything possible to maximize the roster around him. Los Angeles hasn’t quite made a blockbuster move to put the team over the top in several seasons. Now is the time to (reasonably) break the bank and take advantage of the rest of Stafford’s career.
Adding Watson to the mix would be essential to the defense, as the cornerback position has been a problem area for years. The Chiefs’ retooling this offseason could be a godsend for the Rams if they opt not to re-sign the Washington State product.
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