Justin Watson is an American wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs as of the 2024 NFL season. Watson was born in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania on April 4, 1996. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round as the 144th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. As of January 2025, Watson has recorded 87 receptions for 1,322 yards along with nine receiving touchdowns as per ESPN.
Watson attended South Fayette High School and then went to the University of Pennsylvania where he played football on the Penn Quakers football team. Watson had a great college career where he set numerous records as a receiver at his university according to Penn Athletics. He is a two-time Ivy League champion and a three-time member of the First-team All-Ivy League. He went on to win three Super Bowl rings with both his teams, twice with the Chiefs and once with the Bucks.
Justin Watson Contract Breakdown
Justin Watson signed a two-year contract prior to the start of the 2023-24 NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs as per Spotrac. This contract is worth $3.4 million of which Watson has a $1.38 million guarantee and received a signing bonus of $150,000.
The cap hit for the 2024-25 NFL season is $2.92 million while the dead cap value is $150,000. Watson will be an unrestricted free agent after the end of the 2024-25 NFL season.
| Contract | $3.4 million over 2 years |
| Base salary (2024-25) | $1,870,000 |
| Cap hit (2024-25) | $2,920,000 |
| Dead Cap | $150,000 |
| Yearly Cash (average) | $3,000,000 |
Justin Watson Salary
As of January 2025, the Chiefs’ wide receiver is earning a base salary of $1.87 million for the 2024-25 season (via Spotrac).
How much does Justin Watson make in a minute?
With the 2023 contract signed by Watson, he is earning nearly $3.5 per minute as of the 2024/25 NFL season.
Justin Watson Contract Terms
Watson’s 2-year deal with the Chiefs signed in 2023 comes with just a couple of contractual terms attached to it.
The $1.38M guarantee is inclusive of the signing bonus and his 2023 salary.
The 2024 Per Game Active Bonus is $30,000 ($510,000)
His contract also includes incentives, which according to Spotrac are:
- Playing Time Incentive (non-cumulative) 45%: $200,00055%: $400,00065% + Playoff Berth: $600,000
- Receptions Incentive (non-cumulative)20: $200,00040: $400,00065 + Playoff Berth: $600,000
How much of Justin Watson's contract is guaranteed?
Of the $3.4 million deal Watson signed with the Chiefs, the guaranteed amount in his contract is worth $1.38 million according to Spotrac. This guarantee is inclusive of Watson’s $150,000 signing bonus and his 2024 salary.
Justin Watson Contract History
Prior to his two-year deal with the Chiefs in 2023, Watson had signed a couple of contracts earlier as well as per Spotrac. His journey in the professional football league started when he signed a four-year rookie deal with the Buccaneers worth $2,761,739 in 2018. He received a signing bonus and a guarantee of $301,739, while his average annual salary was $690,435.
After his rookie contract expired, he signed a one-year deal with the Bucs but the details are unavailable as he was signed to the practice squad. In 2022, Watson signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs for $1,035,000.
See more:- Justin Watson Net Worth
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FAQs on Justin Watson
A. Justin Watson recorded a 40-yard time of 4.44 seconds at his Pennsylvania Pro Day.
A. Justin Watson married his wife Erica Watson on June 4, 2022.
A. Justin Watson wears the number 84 jersey on the Chiefs.
A. Justin Watson stands at a height of 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m).
