Players and fans react to Sammy Watkins' contract restructuring to stay in KC

As the Kansas City Chiefs restructured the contract of WR Sammy Watkins, his Chiefs teammates and KC fans tweeted their reactions to the news.

When news broke of Sammy Watkins’ new restructured contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, Watkins’ teammates and Chiefs fans took to Twitter to congratulate him on his new deal.

The 26-year-old wide receiver agreed to a one-year, $9 million contract which freed up $5 million in cap space for the Chiefs.

Watkins was one of the first to celebrate his return to Kansas City. 

Im back KC LETS GET IT..! #RUNITBACKTOUR

— King me (@sammywatkins) April 3, 2020

Watkins’ agreement with Kansas City has an incentive package that could reach $16 million. Watkins' unique deal includes per-game roster bonuses with performance and postseason benefits, as well as a no-trade clause. 

Watkins’ postseason incentives breakdown:
—8TDs and team makes playoffs: $750k
—65 catches + playoffs: $750k
—800yds + playoffs: $750k
—AFC Champ win (50% snaps in game): $1.25m
—65 catches + AFC Champ: $1.25m
—800 yds + AFC Champ: $1.25m

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 3, 2020

Players, including Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, tweeted in support of their teammate with the motto of the Chiefs’ 2020 offseason: Run It Back. With the signing of Watkins, the Chiefs return 10 of 11 offensive starters from their Super Bowl roster. 

Run It Back ⏰

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 3, 2020

Mecole Hardman, who at one point looked likely to become the Chiefs’ number two receiver with possible exits from Watkins and recently re-signed WR Demarcus Robinson, tweeted his excitement for the receiver group's ability to stay together for another year. 

YESSSSIRRRRRRR @sammywatkins ‼️‼️‼️‼️ Lets run it back 😤 https://t.co/xPcgmc3NAb

— Mecole Hardman Jr. (@MecoleHardman4) April 3, 2020

Fans reacted with paralleled enthusiasm as the six-year vet returned to Kansas City for his third season with the Chiefs. Following the Super Bowl victory, it appears that fans’ anticipation for the upcoming season is at an all-time high. 

The anticipation is understandable as Mahomes gets back eight of his nine leading receivers (minus RB LeSean McCoy), along with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who has been a head coaching candidate for the past two offseasons.

Sammy Watkins playoff game logs in KC:

Indy: 6 rec 62 yards
NE: 4 rec 114 yards

Hou: 2 rec 76 yards
Ten: 7 rec 114 yards 1 TD
SF: 5 rec 98 yards

Hes been money in the playoffs & is just another weapon on this offense that can score anytime he touches it pic.twitter.com/InURfzSpHy

— Braiden Turner (@bturner23) April 3, 2020

The rest of the NFL teams seeing the Chiefs offense is back from last year. pic.twitter.com/JxvOlasZb0

— Gaston Millar (@gaston_millar) April 3, 2020

The #Chiefs top 6 targeted players in 2019 are all back next season. Don’t underestimate how valuable that is. Not only is Mahomes already comfortable with the group, but they all know the offense already. Could allow Andy to get even more creative

— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) April 3, 2020

Mood on this lovely Friday morning pic.twitter.com/xKKtHwSHgI

— Ty (@ImSorryKC) April 3, 2020

Now that Watkins has his contract, the Chiefs can shift their focus to other issues that need addressing.  

With the restructure of Sammy Watkins, the Chiefs are one step closer to this becoming a reality. Incredible. https://t.co/wy3NXd4AcA

— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) April 3, 2020

Kansas City has the 32nd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and will look to bolster their squad in late April. 

For the latest mock draft from Sports Illustrated, click here. 

For more on Watkins' contract and how both sides pulled it off, click here for the full breakdown here on Arrowhead Report.