After an underwhelming tenure in Green Bay, Sammy Watkins is headed elsewhere to finish the season. The Packers are waiving the veteran wideout, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). The team has since confirmed the move.
Watkins, 29, has bounced around in recent years while struggling to stay healthy. He spent last season in Baltimore, after signing a one-year deal to provide the Ravens with a veteran pass-catcher while rebuilding his free agent value. He was unable to replicate his more productive campaigns with the Bills, however, leading him to join Green Bay in April on another one-year contract.
Watkins’ arrival came after an offseason in which the Packers traded away Davante Adams and saw Marquez Valdes-Scantling depart in free agency. That left an opening for the veteran to take on at least a rotational role in a new-look WR room led by Allen Lazard and multiple rookies. His first two weeks as a Packer were promising, but another hamstring issue led to an early IR stint. Overall, Watkins has totaled just 206 scoreless yards on 13 receptions in 2022.
The move comes as Romeo Doubs is ready to return from an ankle injury. The fourth-rounder has yet to play since Week 9, but could compliment leading receivers Lazard and fellow rookie Christian Watson now that he is back in the fold. Randall Cobb is also available as a veteran pass-catcher who has out-performed Watkins so far this season.
Watkins will now go on waivers, making him available for any teams looking for late-season wideout depth. Any acquiring team would be responsible for the remainder of his contract, which includes just over $186K in base salary and modest games-played bonuses (Twitter link via Pelissero). Should he go unclaimed, the former fourth overall pick will become a free agent – something which would give him an open choice of destinations for the remainder of this season as he continues to search for a permanent NFL home.
Giants. Pick him up. Can’t hurt.
Packer fan here. Genuinely, it CAN hurt. Sammy was actively detrimental on the field. Can’t run a route anymore, misses more blocks than he makes, drops the ball when he does manage to get open (which is incredibly rare).
According to the small sample of Packers games i have seen, this is a problem across the board in Green Bay
I agree on most of your points, but I was surprised to see Watkins make a few pretty good blocks this year in Green Bay. He seemed a bit…bigger to me maybe this year. But yes, he’s been extremely disappointing as a pass catcher, in terms of reliability catching the ball and proper placement in his routes.
Titans, because we need a wr…..and we are magnets for injuries
Seahawks could use a veteran receiver with Tyler Lockett out.
Non-contributor was getting a pretty nice payday.
Overrated his entire career.
Five teams in nine seasons. Sheesh.
Sigh. He was never the same after he got hurt early in his career. He was on another level his freshman year at clemson.
Had a couple nice blocks to spring Watson in that 1 game. I was actually surprised neither of them led to a season ending injury.
I expected more from a former first round pick. Total disappointment from the packers end
Back to Kansas City
NO!!!! We have seen enough of Hammy Watkins!!!
He should try Ottawa or Toronto.
or Arlington