Having already had one of the longest careers of a modern skill-position player, Benjamin Watson may decide to come back for one more season.
The free agent tight end is considering a return, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Watson said near the end of last season his 15th NFL campaign would be his last. Now? Maybe not.
If the situation is right, the 38-year-old veteran may consider a return, Schefter adds. Watson and his wife plan to welcome twins next week, so a comeback will almost certainly be a post-draft consideration. Teams’ depth charts will become clearer after next weekend’s event.
Watson is a free agent after his one-year, $2MM Saints contract expired. He played four of the past six seasons with the Saints, who since moved on to Jared Cook. Watson played the 2017 season with the Ravens, missing all of 2016 due to injury, and spent the first three years of this decade in Cleveland. Watson began his career with the Patriots, playing six years in New England.
Watson’s 2018 season ended early. He missed the NFC championship game because of appendicitis. He caught 35 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season.
Only a few tight ends, including Antonio Gates last season, have played past their 38th birthdays. No pure tight end, discounting long snappers, has suited up past his 39th. Watson turns 39 in December.
Watson spells last yrs version of Gronks numbers – red zone tgt with solid hands. c’mon home
“Oh my GAWD, twins are expensive!!!”
-Benjamin Watson
Watson is such a good dude. I hope he’s not one of those players that struggles to let go of the game.
His brother Randy is a hell of a singer too.