Sammy Watkins Suggests He Could Sit Out 2020 Season With Chiefs Future Uncertain
By Karl Rasmussen
The Chiefs are gearing up for the Super Bowl, hoping to hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in 50 years, but it seems some players have other things on their mind.
Wide receiver Sammy Watkins addressed the media Thursday and discussed his future in the league. Oddly, Watkins didn't rule out the possibility of sitting out the 2020 season.
Chiefs' WR Sammy Watkins ponders his future and says he might sit out the 2020 season:https://t.co/yrbUx9QKuB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 30, 2020
"I don't know what I'm going to do," said Watkins. "If we win it, I might chill out. I might sit out a year. You just never know."
Watkins went on to clarify that sitting out a year would not mean he is retiring; rather, he would just "rest up and chill," not worrying about his next contract, and saving a bit of wear and tear.
Would Sammy Watkins take a pay cut to stay in Kansas City?
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) January 30, 2020
"If I'm at home and thinking about it, if I have to do it to pay Pat (Mahomes), I maybe will."https://t.co/tYV0TITBMC pic.twitter.com/fgNfzVLQCd
Watkins, however, also expressed interest in potentially taking a pay cut to remain in Kansas City, so long as he was enjoying himself and the team was winning.
The 26-year-old signed a three-year, $48 million deal with the Chiefs in 2018, with $30 million in guarantees. He's due $14 million in 2020, though none of that money is guaranteed, and the Chiefs would sustain a $7 million cap hit if they let him walk.
Across 28 games in Kansas City, Watkins has six touchdown catches, hauling in 92 total receptions for 1,192 yards.