Report: Sammy Watkins signs one-year deal with Ravens

Former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins has picked his next destination — he is signing a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Rapoport says it’s a one-year deal with $6 million, including $5 million guaranteed.

Watkins met with both the Ravens and Indianapolis Colts this week, and the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans were reportedly interested as well. In the end, Watkins chose Baltimore.

In three seasons with the Chiefs, Watkins, 27, recorded 129 catches for 1,613 yards and eight touchdowns (34 regular-season games). Watkins was the team’s most productive receiver during the 2018 and 2019 playoff runs, and the 2019 playoffs included the highlights of his Chiefs career. In the AFC title game against the Titans, Watkins had seven catches for 114 yards and a 60-yard touchdown to all but seal it, and in Super Bowl LIV, his 38-yard catch over San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman set up the go-ahead score.

In 2020, Watkins missed the Chiefs’ first two playoff games with a calf injury, and he played only 23 snaps in Super Bowl LV. He made one catch for 13 yards. He was limited to 10 regular-season games as he dealt with calf and hamstring injuries. It never really seemed as though the Chiefs were serious about retaining him this offseason.

With Watkins now officially out of the picture, the spotlight shines brighter on Demarcus Robinson, Mecole Hardman and Byron Pringle to potentially take a step forward in 2021.

The Chiefs play the Ravens in Baltimore in 2021. The schedule has been expected to be announced in May.