This Chiefs-Jets Trade Involving Sammy Watkins and Le'Veon Bell Could Actually Work
By Michael Luciano
The $21 million cap hit for wide receiver Sammy Watkins is weighing on the Kansas City Chiefs like an anchor, which has all but forced GM Brett Veach to possibly consider trading an integral part of the Super Bowl LIV champions.
Watkins, 26, still has plenty left in the tank, but he's the highest-paid player on the team and KC has only $177 in cap space remaining as we approach the NFL Draft.
Rumored Potential #NFL Trade Candidates
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 26, 2020
DE Yannick Ngakoue, JAC
DE Olivier Vernon, CLE
DE Carlos Dunlap, CIN
LB Matt Judon, BAL
OG Joe Thuney, NE
OT Trent Williams, WAS
RB, Matt Breida, SF
TE David Njoku, CLE
WR Curtis Samuel, CAR
WR Marquise Goodwin, SF
WR Sammy Watkins, KC
In need of a vertical wide receiver after Robby Anderson departed for the Carolina Panthers, the New York Jets should consider using some of their $34 million in cap space to trade for Watkins.
The Jets could go one of two ways to get this deal done, one of which is a bit wishful thinking and one which is a bit more grounded.
The Jets could trade running back Le'Veon Bell, fresh off the worst season of his career, to the Chiefs, who are in need of a running back, in exchange for Watkins. Sam Darnold gets a new No. 1 wide receiver, while the Chiefs get some salary cap room and an absurdly talented running back who would put up career numbers in that doomsday offense. After all, reports have suggested head coach Adam Gase isn't very fond of Bell. The Jets would have to figure something else out at running back, but that shouldn't be a problem.
Kansas City may have to include a mid-round draft pick here too considering Bell is signed through 2022 and can be released with minimal financial loss come 2021.
The more realistic option, however, is trading guard Brian Winters and his $7.2 million hit to a Chiefs team in need of a lineman to replace Cam Erving. Winters, who has played with the Jets for the last seven seasons, could be deemed expendable after the Jets signed Greg Van Roten, Josh Andrews and Alex Lewis in free agency.
Jets To Keep G Brian Winters? https://t.co/oGpA12MCgI pic.twitter.com/0c7pZBzSTe
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) April 1, 2020
There are only a few teams in the league with a need at wide receiver and the cap space to take on Watkins' contract, and the Jets are one of them. Gase clearly wants to throw the ball, so why not go out and get yourself a new No. 1 wideout who can continue playing for years to come?