Why This Chiefs Defender Will Have a Booming Market

While they're in the middle of the 2025 campaign, it never hurts to keep an eye on who is a pending free agent for the Kansas City Chiefs at season's end. Especially this Chiefs defender.

Jul 22, 2025; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach walks down the hill to the fields during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs franchise didn't become successful overnight. They've added the necessary coaches and players to build what some would consider to be a dynasty, but at the end of the season, it's the front office's job to ensure the direction of the franchise stays on the right path.

The Chiefs went into the offseason with a clear plan to improve their team. After falling to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, Brett Veach and company went to work to add free agents and draft talent to ensure the future of the franchise. However, after this season, the process all starts again.

Veach has done a good job at retaining talent; he and the rest of the franchise feel is best for business and success. However, when it comes to pending free agents, the Chiefs will have following the 2025 campaign: some under-the-radar players are already seeing their stock rise.

The Market Value Evaluation

One defender the Chiefs may want to keep around for the foreseeable future is former seventh round draft pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, cornerback Jaylen Watson.

Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) takes the field prior to a game against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

So far this season, Watson has been one of the best defenders for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and the rest of the defense. Through seven games played, Watson holds 30 total tackles, one interception, four passes defended and one quarterback sack.

According to Pro Football Focus, Watson has an overall grade of 73.9, ranking him as the 14th-best cornerback in PFF standards out of 112 who qualified. And according to Spotrac.com, Watson holds a market value of three years, $48,615,234, averaging out to be $16.2 million per year.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) runs against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This season, Watson is earning a base salary of $3,406,000 and a workout bonus of $8,820, while carrying a cap hit of $3,436,163 and a dead cap value of $30,163, according to Spotrac.com.

A considerable jump from $3.4 million to $16.2 million could be something the Chiefs look to add if they want to keep Watson around. Keep in mind the franchise just drafted Nohl Williams in the 2025 NFL Draft, and depending on how he performs, he could be in line to be the Chiefs' future.

Oct 12, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Nohl Williams (20) defends during the first half against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

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